'Tis the season for seasonal winter produce!
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | | | Winter is my least favorite season. Sorry to you winter lovers, but in Wisconsin, there isn't much to love about it. It's cold and gloomy, I worry my car won't start, and I stress over catching the flu. | | All of this to say, I do enjoy one aspect of winter: the food. No, I'm not talking about the holiday desserts. I'm talking about the seasonal produce — the oranges, the grapefruits, the pomegranates. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. | | Before I head off to grab an orange, let's discuss seasonal eating and its health benefits. I've also included some recipes that incorporate winter foods! | | | | Stay warm,
Sarah Matysiak
Associate Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Sarah Matysiak
January 31, 2025 • 3 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Bring on the winter produce! | | Although most produce is available year-round, it's not your imagination if you've noticed your favorite fruit or veggie is more flavorful in a certain season. I've definitely noticed off-season oranges are usually smaller and more sour than in-season oranges. | | Seasons can affect food flavor profiles. But did you know that it can also influence nutritional profile? | | According to the American Heart Association, the longer produce sits between harvesting and consumption, the greater the loss in its nutritional value, particularly vitamins and antioxidants. Out-of-season produce is typically harvested early (before it's ripe) and imported, which can lead to nutrient *and* flavor loss. However, in-season produce is picked at peak maturity (ripeness) and ready to enjoy at maximum nutrition and taste! | | (Fun fact: Frozen produce has equal nutritional value compared to fresh or in-season produce.) | Eating seasonal foods offers more benefits than just boosted flavor and nutrition profiles. It's also: - Sustainable: Seasonal eating helps conserve and preserve natural resources by eating what's available now.
- Good for variety: Shifting your palette with the season helps ensure you consume a wide variety of nutrients year-round.
- Helpful for your skin: Some winter produce may help relieve eczema symptoms. Although I don't get flare-ups, I'll be eating more of these foods to help with my dry, flaky winter skin.
- Cheaper: A high abundance of produce during its peak season tends to make it more affordable.
| Oranges are obviously one winter fruit (since I can't stop talking about them), but other seasonal produce to choose from includes: - grapefruit
- pomegranates
- kale
- pineapples
- Brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- kiwi
- sweet potatoes
- beets
- pears
- some herbs
Remember, available produce and prices can vary in your location depending on growing conditions and the weather. If you're unsure about what's in season near you, try visiting your local farmer's market. There's no better place to learn what's in season than from the growers themselves! | | Oh, and try not to worry if your produce isn't always in season or fresh. Instead, always remember that fruits and veggies in any form are part of a balanced diet. | | Is all of this talk about fresh winter fruits and veggies making you hungry? (It's a yes for me!) Here are some recipes so you can bring these foods to your table: | | | | | | | | | Bored of your cutting boards? | | | | | | |  | | JoyJolt Bamboo Cutting Board Set | | I needed cutting boards and didn't want to take the plastic route. Instead, I went down bamboo boulevard with this set of three bamboo cutting boards. The best part (besides avoiding plastic): You don't have to use them exclusively for cutting! I've found the large board also functions well for all my charcuterie needs. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | I'm off to grab an orange. Enjoy your weekend! | | | | | | |
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment