Why You Should Eat Seasonally

We’re always being told that we should eat more seasonally but there’s more to it than simply being better for the environment.

Eating seasonally is better for our overall health

It’s no coincidence that seasonal food grows in tandem with our body's requirements, so eating in season ensures that we get optimum nutrition when we need it. That means when the temperatures drop and our immune system takes a hit, the kinds of seasonal food we should be eating are the leafy greens, peppers and cruciferous vegetables, all of which are abundant in immune-boosting vitamin C. If on the other hand, we choose foods that have to be shipped over from the other side of the world, it’s very likely their nutritional value will be inferior and they'll be out of sync with what we actually need to maintain good health.

Eating seasonally tastes better

Food that’s out of season is usually harvested early to ensure it reaches where it needs to be in a good and saleable condition. This is in contrast to seasonal food which is harvested just at the right time when plants are at their peak in terms of taste and flavour. Research has also shown that when crops are able to ripe on their parent plant they contain more nutrients than those that aren’t.

Eating seasonally is better for your gut health

Like our gut, the soil is full of a range of micro-organisms which make up the microbiome but unlike the soil, our gut microbiome is not nearly as diverse. Eating seasonally means you’re exposing your body to plants that are naturally rich in nutrients like resistant starch (found in onions and garlic), all of which feed the good bacteria in our gut and help create a healthier environment. This has a knock-on effect on our body and helps to improve everything from our immune system to brain health. Conversely, a diet that’s full of highly processed diet with foods can negatively affect the microbiome quickly.