Have you ever bought strawberries in February and found that they lacked flavour? Or did you ever plan to make a recipe with say… squash, and were you unable to find it in any supermarket? It’s very likely that the strawberries and squash weren’t in season! Read on to find 5 reasons why you should eat the seasons in the UK (and really, anywhere else too!).
As the seasons change, the weather as well as the type of produce that the land around you grows, change too. When you eat seasonally, you focus on eating produce that has been grown and harvested around the same time as you’re going to eat them.
By doing that, you reduce the demand for produce that’s out of season. The produce you eat, won’t be processed or transported over long distances.
1. It’s healthier to eat seasonal food
- When you eat seasonally, you’ll add more variety to your diet. And with it, you’ll consume a wider range of nutrients and minerals.
- God has done something pretty cool. Foods are meant to follow natural growing and ripening cycles, just like our bodies naturally synchronise with the seasons as well.
Seasonal foods support our bodies’ season-specific needs. Certain stone fruits in summer, protect you against the sun’s UV rays, like peaches, plums, cherries, and many more! While citrus fruits in the winter protect you from colds and viruses. Isn’t that amazing? - Also, when fruits and vegetables are imported, they usually lose some of their nutritional and vitamin value. And that kind of beats the purpose of all those green juices, smoothies, and salads doesn’t it?! We want to consume as many nutrients as possible to support our bodies.
2. Seasonal food tastes much better
- When you eat seasonally, it means that the produce gets harvested at exactly the right time. It will be at its peak for health benefits and flavour.
Do you remember those tasteless strawberries? Those will taste riper, sweeter, and just much more delicious when harvested in season.
Not convinced of the difference it can make?
Then let me ask you this question: have you ever had a wild strawberry? I had one for the very first time last summer in North Wales, and despite it being a tiny little strawberry (it was smaller than a raisin), it burst with flavour. Why? Because I ate it at its peak. - When out of season food gets imported, it’s harvested before it’s ripe. And like I said earlier, the journey doesn’t do it much good either!
3. It’s kinder to nature
- Food that’s out of season is often shipped over long distances, and they have to be kept cold. By buying foods that are in season you’re, most of the time, buying food that’s grown much closer to you. You’ll reduce the environmental damage caused by the carrying and shipping of food over long distances.
- Food that’s grown locally needs fewer fertilisers and pesticides since it doesn’t have to be kept fresh for as long. This lessens water, air, and soil pollution.
- By eating food that’s in season, you also discourage the use of artificial hothouses. The energy that’s used to heat these greenhouses contributes to the pollution in the atmosphere. As a result, the negative effect of greenhouse gases will rise, in the form of CO2 emissions.
This is a bit of a complicated subject and I know I am going off-subject just a teeny tiny bit…
BUT if you want to watch a really good documentary about climate change and how we could reverse it by harnessing the healing power of soil, watch the KISS THE GROUND documentary.
We watched it a little while ago and is so. SO. good. I couldn’t help but notice God’s hand in the whole process and how He created this world beautifully. The documentary reminded me that if we go back to the basics, back to a (more) natural way of living, a lot of our problems could be solved.
You can watch the documentary on Netflix! If you end up watching it, let me know in the comments below what you thought of it!
4. Usually, it saves you money
- Seasonal food is often cheaper to harvest, transport, and sell as it’s in abundance at the moment you buy it and requires a shorter journey. This often results in a lower price!
5. You support your local community
- The big supermarkets won’t always be the right place to find seasonal products for a good price. But there might be farmers’ markets and farm shops in your local area.
By buying your fruit and vegetables (and maybe even more) from those smaller businesses, you’ll be supporting your local economy. And THAT generates jobs as well as supports local producers. It’s a win-win! - When buying directly from the farmer or producer, you’ll know exactly where your food comes from.
So there you have it, 5 good reasons why you should eat the seasons UK.
Have I convinced you yet?
If you don’t have a clue what’s in season, I’ve been there… To make it a bit easier, I’ve created a fun printable for you. But for that, you’ll have to tune back in this Friday. See you then!
Much love,
Jenna
Do you want to read up on the subject? I’ve found a few useful websites! Find them here:
– Eat Seasonably
– The Artisan Food Trail
