What is a seasonal food? Does seasonal food have health benefits? Why eat seasonal food with CBD?
The short answer is this: seasonal food is harvested and sold at its peak. This means that nutritionally speaking, it's at its best! Fresh foods, farmers markets, and fall just go hand in hand and can even have health benefits.
Read on to learn all about autumn seasonal foods and why you should try CBD-infused fall recipes.
What Are Seasonal Foods For Autumn?
When you hear someone say, "this food is in season", it just means that food is purchased and consumed near to the time of harvest.
Canned and frozen foods can be healthily preserved when manufactured during their peak seasons. In other words, if foods are frozen or canned seasonally, they can also be a nutritious option!
Eating seasonally often means more nutrients for the consumer. It also makes life easier for the farmers who grow the food. Often, nutritional value can be reduced when foods need to be preserved for longer periods of time or packaged for traveling across long distances.
Locally packaged and distributed food also reduces the environmental burden of harvesting crops. Growing food takes significant resources, and growing food outside of its natural growing season can take even more.
The Age Old Practice of Seasonal Eating
Eating with the seasons isn't necessarily new. It does focus on eating what is "in" right now, but the idea has been around nearly forever.
Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice that emphasizes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, has a term for seasonal eating called ritucharya. This word stems from the word meaning "season" and the word meaning "regimen".
Ritucharya is important because the body finds different types of balance during different seasons. For example, the body uses extra energy to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer as opposed to other times of year.
In modern times, convenience often drives the fast food market. Fresh food can easily be ignored when people are focused on fleeting trends. Like CBD, eating seasonally may be an ancient key for many people to experience optimal health.
Fall Seasonal Foods
Wondering what is in season for fall? Look no further — this extensive autumn produce list will get you in the mood for fall foods. Pumpkin spice isn't the only thing peaking this season.
Take a look at some other awesome autumn delights.
Fruit
- Apple
- Banana
- Bell Peppers
- Cranberries
- Dates
- Grapes
- Kiwifruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Mango
- Pears
- Pineapple
Vegetables
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Collard greens
- Green beans
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes & yams
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
- Winter squash (a.k.a. Hard squash, such as acorn, butternut, or spaghetti)
Other
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Herbs (i.e. parsley, cilantro, chives, thyme, basil)
- Mushrooms
Now that we've named some delicious seasonal eats, you're probably wondering — why is it so important to eat seasonal food, anyway?
Why Eat Seasonal Food?
Beyond tasting better when it is in season, food harvested and eaten at its peak likely has a higher level of nutrients. Eating in season could literally lead to a healthier you.
Even better, farmers markets and local shops in the fall can carry seasonal food from nearby farmers. You can feel better about what you are putting into your body while also benefiting your local economy!
At farmers markets, you may even be able to talk to the people who actually grew the food you'll be eating. This can give you a better understanding of how the food was grown and the practices used to raise the crops you're about to eat.
Seasonal Foods Benefits
Shopping what is in season isn't only good for the "right now". Foods in season are often less expensive because there is an abundance of them. You can save money by buying in bulk and then preserving the food in a healthy way, such as:
- Freezing it for future use (i.e. meal prep)
- Canning food using safe home-canning methods
- Freeze-drying or oven-drying for healthy snack options
In addition to these delicious methods, seasonal foods tend to be very versatile. They can be added to fall favorites like soups, breads, and bakes. Seasonal eating is a form of mindful eating that can fortify a healthy lifestyle.
The Benefits of Fall Nutrition
Certain fall foods provide exceptional nutrition. They are exceptionally nutrient-dense during their harvest season and can be a great source of vitamins and minerals in the diet.
Hungry for the details? Here are a few exceptional fall finds:
- Cranberries- Common to Thanksgiving dinner spreads, cranberries are a tart fruit that may also improve your health. Cranberries contain a compound called proanthocyanidin. This compound is thought to prevent "bad" bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, which can help prevent damage and disease in the body. In addition to tasting great on their own, cranberries pair nicely with meats, poultry, grain, and vegetables as well.
- Pumpkin- Pumpkin isn't just the ultimate symbol of fall. It is also packed with vitamins and compounds that give it its bright orange color. High in vitamin A, consuming pumpkin in the form of its fleshy inside or delicious seeds can introduce "healthy" fats and other compounds into the diet.
- Sweet Potato- Like pumpkins, sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A. They also have great levels of potassium, Vitamin C, and fiber. Serve them with almost any meal or even as the main dish ingredient!
Our ancestors used to grow what grew well in their area and thrived due to seasonal foods. Getting in touch with what is in season, or even harvesting your own home-grown plants, can make you feel more connected to the fall foods you eat.
Challenge Yourself To Try A New Fall Food
Eating seasonally prompts us to pick more sustainable, more nutrient-dense meals that are full of variety and color. If you get stuck, just ask the experts! Dietitians and local farmers can help you navigate the best foods for you and your family.
Don't be afraid to try new foods. Each season, it is a great opportunity to try fresh, flavorful, seasonal picks that are at their peak! This practice of trying something new can challenge you to learn new cooking skills so you can create a delicious fall dish with your new ingredients.
Seasonal Foods Recipes with CBD
You may be surprised to find out all the foods you can add CBD to during fall. The following recipes are great options for consuming CBD and seasonal foods during autumn
CBD Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Nothing says fall quite like pumpkin does. The CBD in pumpkin soup helps make a calming meal for cozy autumn nights.
CBD Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon isn't only a spice fit for pumpkin spice mixes. On its own, it has been studied for its positive effect on blood sugar. Combine it with cranberries for a delicious, nutritious seasonal CBD-infused cinnamon roll.
CBD Hemp Seed Tahini Avocado Toast
Maple syrup is just another one of those fall-time flavors that adds a special touch to many meals. It's considered a "natural" sugar, meaning it still counts in terms of calories but may be a more suitable sweetener for some people. CBD Hemp Seed Tahini Avocado Toast can be a great way to begin autumn mornings, especially when a seasonal, fresh-squeezed lemon is used as one of the ingredients.
CBD Quinoa Day After Bake
Fall is all about those savory autumn flavors. Since CBD can be altered when foods are too hot, chilled quinoa day after bake leftovers make a perfect CBD oil companion. Enjoy it twice — it's just that nice!
CBD Caramel Milkshake
Reminiscent of caramel apples in the autumn, this shake is the queen of incorporating seasonal ingredients. Not only does it have maple syrup, which adds a subtle sweetness, it also contains bananas and dates. These foods peak in the fall, making the CBD caramel milkshake a frosty fall favorite.
CBD Raw Vegan Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares
Have your cake and eat it, too! Raspberry swirl cheesecake squares are already delicious, but add some CBD and you've just elevated the nutrition. With dates, lemon zest, and cinnamon, these swirled squares deserve all the seasonal love.
CBD Homemade Hemp Basil Hummus
Fresh herbs in the fall just take autumn dishes up a level. CBD-infused hummus may help add a sense of balance to your life as the seasons shift. Garlic, lemon, and basil make this CBD dip a crowd-pleaser for fall gatherings.
CBD Cold Brew and Latte
When the days start getting shorter, cold brew with CBD can be just the trick to wake you up in the morning. An iced chocolate latte with maple syrup practically embodies the season. Use a nut milk of your choice and some cardamom and cinnamon to increase the fall feelings this cold brew can bring.
In Summary On Seasonal Food For Fall
There are plenty of ways to get in the mood for fall, but perhaps one of the best is by customizing your plate. Choosing seasonal produce can be nutritious, delicious, and even connect you more to your local community. CBD-infused recipes may also help bring you additional autumnal balance and promote wellness as the seasons change and the days get shorter.
References
American Heart Association. Seasons of Eating Infographic. Heart.org. Published 2020.
Goolsby JM. 4 Reasons To Eat By The Seasons + What Is In Season Right Now. Mindbodygreen.com. Published OCtober 15, 2019.
GRACE Communications Foundation. Why Eat Seasonally? Seasonalfoodguide.org. Accessed September 2021.
Kooienga M. How to Eat Seasonally and Locally to Support Your Health and The Environment. Nutritionstripped.com. Published September 4, 2020.
Larson H. 9 Fall Produce Picks to Add to Your Plate. Eatright.org. Published August 18, 2021.
Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. Ayu. 2011;32(4):466-471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fall Seasonal Produce. Snaped.fns.usda.gov. Accessed September 2021.
