Groceries 101: What is seasonal eating?

July 22, 10:46 AMAustin Healthy Food ExaminerPolly Jackson

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Seasonal Eating

Eating what grows naturally each season is one of the best ways to allow your body to operate in a way that will sustain your health.

Summer is ideal for stocking up on carbs, fruit and vegetables.  Our ancestors lived off the land in the summer putting on a little more body fat because of it.  

In the autumn months food was more scarce with nuts, berries and occasional meat from hunting being the fare.  The effort burned off some of the body fat.

In the winter months people slept more and ate less preparing for an awakening spring with energy from the last of the body fat to resume hunting.  The earth produced seasonal fruit and veggies all over again.

Produce in grocery stores is now a year round event.  It's easy to get whatever food you desire.

Perhaps obesity and diabetes is due to not eating seasonally.  Studies suggest eating foods in season all year long, regardless if you can have whatever you'd like to eat at any given moment, is a more healthy alternative.  

So, when asparagus if plentiful, eat it.  When apples are in season, eat them. Get summer squash in the summer.  Potatoes are ready in the fall.  Eat anything when it is in season.  Chances are you'll be in better shape and have more energy because of it.