August 2nd marked the half way point of summer; meaning we still have 6 weeks left to enjoy the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables provided to us during the summer months. Now is the time to enjoy such foods as tomatoes, corn, apricots, peaches and blackberries to name a few. There are many benefits of eating according to the season, not the least of which is enjoying foods at their peak of flavor and sweetness. It also means receiving optimal nutrition from our foods by not harvesting fruits and vegetables before they are ready. It decreases the need for chemicals used in storage and shipping. It also helps attune us to nature and our own body cycles. For example, in summer”s hottest months the juiciest of fruits are available to help cool and hydrate the body. Eating in season also supports our local farms and is more economical. Notice how berries are abundant at the Farmers” Market right now and are so much more affordable than during the winter months. After practicing this way of eating now for many years I notice that I joyfully anticipate the arrival of asparagus in the spring or tomatoes in August or apples in the fall. I savor and enjoy them thoroughly while they are available and happily wait for their return the following year. Here is a list to get you started on eating according to the seasons. Savor and Enjoy!
Winter
Fruits – Apples, Cranberry, Dates, Dried Fruits, Grapes, Jicama, Kiwi, Kumquat, Mandarins, Oranges, Pear, Persimmon, Pomegranate, Tangerines
Vegetables – Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Garlic, Ginger, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Parsnip, Potatoes, Sea Vegetables, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Sweet Potato, Turnip, Yams
Spring
Fruits – Avocado, Dates, Grapefruit, Jicama, Lemon, Lime, Olive, Orange, Plum, Strawberry, Tangerines
Vegetables – Artichoke, Asparagus, Beets, Beet Greens, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Celery, Chard, Chives, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dandelion Greens, Green Onion, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Parsley, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Sprouts, Sugar Peas, Watercress
Summer
Fruits – Apricot, Avocado, Berries, Fig, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Melons, Nectarine, Orange, Peach, Pear, Plum, Prickly Pear, Tangerine, Tropical Fruits (Banana, Guava, Mango, Papaya, Passion fruit, Pineapple)
Vegetables – Artichoke, Beet, Bell Pepper, Cabbage, Celery, Chili Pepper, Chives, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Green Beans, Green Peas, Lettuce, Okra, Parsley, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Soft Squash, Sugar Peas, Tomato, Watercress
Autumn
Fruits – Apples, Blackberry, Cranberry, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Jicama, Mandarins, Melons, Persimmon, Plum, Pomegranate
Vegetables – Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gingerroot, Leeks, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach, All Squash, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip, Yam
Nutrition Consultations are available at Synergy+ with Dionne Detraz, RD. Contact Dionne directly to schedule an appointment at 415-250-0567 or at dionnedetraz@comcast.net.