Eating seasonally

Did you know eating out of season foods can lead to lethargy, mood swings or lower productivity?

From a bowl of chips to a bowl of sizzling hot Maggi, or even a hot chocolate before going to bed – comfort food can mean different things for different people. We call it comfort food, but what really happens when we consume these food items?

Different foods directly influence energy levels in the body, contribute in diverse ways to your body & overall sense of wellbeing. Now, what does that mean?

There are raw foods, and processed foods; seasonal foods and out of season foods; foods that create heat in the body, and some that cool the body… and it goes on. This blog talks about the benefits of eating seasonal foods.

Simply put, the fresher or more raw the food, the greater its nutritional value, and its contribution to individual energy levels. Essentially, eating a fresh fruit every 2 days during apple season, could be more beneficial than having its ‘juice’ version, every single day, even during off-season.

Consuming processed or out of season foods may lead to imbalances in the energy levels of your body & mind. This doesn’t only manifest in physical symptoms such as lethargy or untimely sleepiness, but also through the energy levels in your mind. Take for example, have you ever experienced extreme lethargy or brain fog on days you haven’t eaten freshly cooked food or fruit and green vegetables?

You can, however, bring back the body and mind back into balance by tuning yourself to the seasons and eating local fruits and vegetables. While eating fresh fruit and veg is great, it’s also important to eat ‘seasonally’, as each season has a different effect on our bodies.

In winter, eat foods like pumpkin, cabbage, spinach, corn, carrots, potatoes & other root vegetables, apples, dry fruits, dairy products, etc. You’ll notice that they help the body stay warm.

In summer, eat foods like summer squashes, cucumber, leafy vegetables, and all fresh fruits. These foods help combat accumulated heat in your body and bring about a cooling and balancing effect on the body.

While eating seasonally is extremely beneficial for energy levels of the mind and body, it is also great since:

Seasonal fruits & vegetables are fresher and taste better
Seasonal fruits have a higher nutritional value
It is environmental friendly and a more sustainable way to fuel the body than processed ingredients or fruit & veg from cold storage
Seasonal foods also help prevent seasonal allergies
It is also cheaper since seasonal fruits and vegetables are available in most markets