By Lisa Aparicio, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor
Seasonal eating is when you focus mainly on consuming the produce that is harvested during that season. Before science and preservation was introduced into agriculture, people only ate seasonal food that they were growing in their gardens/farms, at the time it was ready to be harvested. This is sustainable for humans and for the environment as well!
Eating fruit and vegetables that are in season will increase the diversity of vitamin and minerals you are consuming and expand your food palate. Additionally, cycling through different fruits and vegetables will promote nutritious meals and increases the freshness and quality of the foods you are eating. You will notice that fruits and vegetables that are in season will be harvested when they are perfectly ripe, increasing the intensity of their flavor and levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Additionally, Fruits and vegetables will thrive without any harmful additives or any extra resources when they are grown during their natural timeframe.
Eating seasonal harvest will benefit our planet by allowing our environment to cycle through its natural resources and seasons like it would without human intervention. It will also reduce our carbon footprint, emissions, and essentially the negative mark we are leaving on earth. Buying seasonal produce from local farmers market and community supported agriculture groups will provide the freshest and best tasting food.
Produce will also be sold at a lower cost if bought from a farmers’ market because it is locally grown. The money spent transporting the produce will be minimal therefore, reducing the cost to consumers. Since there will be an abundance of each food that is in season, it will be sold for a lower cost than compared to if the food was not in season.
Quick reminder: Do your best to support a sustainable lifestyle, but please always put your health first! Make sure to get the nourishment your body needs whether that is from seasonal food or not. Eating seasonally does not have to be an all-or-nothing commitment. Start small by adding a few seasonal items to your meals and continue to add more whenever possible. With each seasonal item you are improving your nutrient intake, saving money, and helping our environment!
Seasonal Winter Fruits and Vegetables
Seasonal Winter Fruits and Vegetables
| Apples | Lemons |
| Avocados | Limes |
| Bananas | Onioins |
| Beets | Oranges |
| Brussels Sprouts | POarsnips |
| Cabbage | Pears |
| Carrots | Pineapples |
| Celery | Potatoes |
| Collard Greens | Pumpkin |
| Grapefruit | Rutabagas |
| Herbs | Sweet Potatoes and Yams |
| Kale | Swiss Chard |
| Kiwifruit | Turnips |
| Leeks | Winter Squash |
Healthy Aggies at UC Davis 