In today’s modern world, international food distribution makes most foods available through the year this makes it difficult to follow seasonal eating but it’s not impossible. All you need to do is stick to your local fruit and vegetable markets instead of fancy supermarkets, local markets always follow the natural seasonal produce the year round.
It is also important to know what to eat during a particular season in order to help your body function comfortably. In India we basically have three main seasons summer, monsoon and winter, here are some tips that will be useful.
During the summer it is always advisable to eat more cooling foods because of the crazy heat. Greens like leafy vegetables that represent the fresh new growth of this season including spinach, lettuce, parsley, basil, dill, methi, cucumber, etc. Fruits like watermelons, apples, papayas, bananas and meant like fish and mutton or lamb are ideal during this season.
During the rains or the monsoons, which are fairly unpredictable, it’s best to stick to warmer food like potatoes, onions, nuts, garlic and ginger. You can start increasing your intake of spices at this point as well.
Winter is the best time of the year to consume red meats and shell fish like crabs, prawns, lobsters and mussels. We need the heat of these foods during the cold winters to maintain high energy levels and heat in our body. Root vegetables, eggs, corn and nuts can also be eaten beneficially in the winter.
This basic guidance system will bring about natural changes that are highly beneficial in the long run. So let the seasons and their natural produce take over and guide your eating habits to maximize nutrition, increase energy levels, better digestion, normalize body functioning and living healthier lives. Remember it is what our ancestors did; they ate what was freely grown and available in their regions.
