In my last post I shared some self-care ideas for spring. Today I am going to go into some more depth about changing up our spring diets.
In spring, we’re usually lucky enough to have an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce at our fingertips, allowing us to change up our meals and snacks with vibrant flavors and nutrients.
Delicious fruits like strawberries, rhubarb, and cherries are currently in season and make a delightful addition to our morning meal or as a treat after dinner. Additionally, plentiful vegetables such as asparagus, spinach, and radishes are perfect for tossing into our salads or sautéing as a side dish, adding a burst of flavor and crunch to our plates.
By incorporating these seasonal foods into our diets, we not only support our local farmers and the local economy but also benefit from the increased nutrient content, as the produce hasn’t traveled far and is at its peak freshness.
What’s in Season.
During the 3 months of spring, March, April, and May, we start seeing the last of locally grown root vegetables and begin to get more citrus vegetables and leafy greens or salad items appearing depending on where you live.
| Fruits | Veggies | Greens |
|---|---|---|
| Apricots Avocados Blackberries Blueberries Cherries Grapefruit Kiwifruit Kumquats Lemons Limes Lychees Melons Oranges Pineapples Rhubarb Strawberries | Artichokes Asparagus Beets Broccoli Cardoons Carrots Corn Fava/Broad Beans Garlic Kohlrabi Leeks Mushrooms New Potatoes Onions Parsnips Peas Radishes Ramps Green/Spring onions | Arugula Bok Choy Fennel Kale Lettuce Mustard Greens Collard Greens Dandelion Greens Herbs Parsley Pea Greens Spinach Swiss Chard Watercress |
Another way to eat seasonally is to try to eat foods that are grown within 100 miles of your home. This is known as the 100 mile diet.
Other benefits of eating seasonal produce
As well as our health there are other benefits to eating seasonally.
- Seasonal produce requires less energy and resources to grow and transport, as it doesn’t need to be grown in artificial conditions or shipped long distances. This reduces the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with food production.
- Buying seasonal foods can save you money at the grocery store. When produce is in season, there is an abundance available, which drives down prices for you the consumer.
- Purchasing seasonal produce, especially from local farmers markets, directly supports small local farms and the regional economy. It helps keep farmers in business and promotes food diversity.
- Eating seasonally encourages us to eat a wider variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, ensuring we get a diverse array of nutrients and phytochemicals in your diet.
Where to start
Plan Your Meals
Start by planning your meals around the fruits and vegetables available during this time of year. This helps ensure you have the necessary produce on hand and allows you to take advantage of the abundance and freshness of seasonal items.
Use your local Farmers Market
This time of year is when adverts for farmers markets and seasonal boxes begin appearing in our news feeds. Take advantage of this. Shopping at your local farmer’s market is a great way to support local farmers and get the freshest, most seasonal produce available. It may be slight ly more expensive but you will often find a wider variety of fruits and vegetables compared to your local store.
Add In More Fruits and Veggies
You don’t have to run out and look for new recipes, although you can if you like to experiment. Instead look for ways to incorporate these foods to your favorite dishes. For example, add sliced tomatoes to your sandwich, top your pizza with seasonal veggies, or mix in some spinach or kale to your smoothie.
Snack on Seasonal Produce
Instead of reaching for processed snacks, reach for the fridge. Opt for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Cut up some carrots, celery, or bell peppers to keep for your snacks. Eat as is or make a dip for them. Try fresh strawberries, blueberries, or pears as a sweet treat.
Save for later
You can also take advantage of the abundance of seasonal produce by preserving it for later use. You can freeze, can, pickle, or dehydrate fruits and vegetables to enjoy their nutritional benefits throughout the year.
To Sum Up.
So you can see that eating for spring is not too difficult to do, and as well as being healthy can also save you money on your grocery bill.
- Plan your meals
- Shop local markets
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your usual meals
- Use for snacks.
- Preserve for later.
