Eating seasonally helps the body fully absorb nutrients
According to nutritionists, choosing the right foods in season has clear health benefits. When fruits and vegetables are harvested at the right time of natural ripening, they will retain their delicious flavor and highest nutritional value.
Seasonal agricultural products are allowed to naturally ripen on the plants, helping us get more nutrients. Conversely, when transported far, food can easily lose vitamins and minerals," said Ms. Jude Simon, Master, Nutritionist and Health Lecturer at UW Medical Center, Seattle (USA).
In addition, eating seasonally also helps the body easily adapt to changes in weather. According to Ms. Sherry Gray, a nutritionist at the University of Connecticut (USA), "Jade berries such as watermelon help cool the body in summer, while beets or yams provide energy for the cold winter".
Benefits for the environment and community
Not only good for health, eating seasonal foods is also an environmentally friendly act. Agricultural products grown and consumed locally help reduce emissions from long-distance transportation, while supporting livelihoods for farmers in the region.
Each region has its own crop season, so understanding local characteristics will help you choose the best source of fresh food, says nutritionist and farmer Jennie Schmidt, working at Schmidt Farms Inc., Maryland (USA).
Schmidt also recommends that, in the absence of local agricultural products, frozen and canned vegetables are still a good choice. The treatment process usually takes place within 24 hours of harvest, helping to preserve most of the nutrients, she said.
Eating seasonally is not only a trend, but a natural way to keep the body healthy, have a rich taste and contribute to building a more sustainable food system.
