If you take a walk around the countryside, you might notice that some fruits and vegetables are at their peak during certain times of the year. This is due to the fact that you can frequently see them growing in fields or gardens and being sold at roadside stands by local farmers.
To determine which seasonal foods you should be eating, you might have to conduct some research if you reside in a location where this information is not readily available.
It can be difficult to determine with absolute certainty what was most recently harvested from a plant if you do not observe a significant quantity of a particular product filling the produce aisles at the supermarket.
Making adjustments to your dining routine so that they are in line with the changing times in your region may have several benefits beyond the convenience factor alone. A speedy search on Google can provide you with information regarding the foods that are easily accessible in your area throughout the current season.
But why would you even think about consuming food in this manner? If you can get your hands on pretty much any kind of food you desire, does the ever-shifting weather truly warrant you to continue eating?
The fact of the matter is that there are advantages to consuming food that is ripe during the appropriate season. Therefore, here are a few reasons why you should pay attention to the life cycles of the plants that are located around you:
Simpler on the Expendable Income
You don’t want to spend more money on food than is absolutely required, regardless of whether you’re doing your shopping in vibrant Brooklyn areas or in a quiet village in southern Louisiana.
According to the law of supply and demand, there will be an increase in the quantity of a certain product available for purchase by grocery stores after it has reached its peak of ripeness in nature.
This indicates that the pricing at your neighborhood shop will be more affordable when compared to other times of the year. When you buy things that are out of season, the retailer will have to ship them in, which means they won’t be as fresh and will cost you more money.
Therefore, making the decision to eat in accordance with the seasons will not only result in lower food costs, but it also increases the likelihood that the foods you consume are grown locally, which is better for the environment.
It is a good idea to stock up on your favorite foods when they are on sale and then freeze them for consumption during the months when those foods are more expensive.
Be aware, however, that not every product is able to endure freezing, and some of them require special care, so before you begin, make sure you research the appropriate approach to freeze them all.
Better for Your Body
Consuming food that is in season is not only easier on the wallet, but it also has the potential to be healthier for the body. Due to the shorter amount of time that passes between harvesting and consumption, the nutritional worth of foods that are cultivated according to their natural cycles is greater.
According to a number of studies, the nutrients that are present in fresh and locally grown produce are the very same ones that your body requires at that precise time.
Additionally, the flavor of the food is enhanced. Have you ever consumed a strawberry outside of its regular growing season of March? For example, in October. It’s almost as if you’re eating a completely different kind of fruit.
More considerate of the environment
It is unnecessary to ship food from remote areas if you buy food when it is in season and you buy it locally. This results in a savings of fuel, which in turn results in a reduction of the pollution that is caused by travel by water, land, or air.
On the other side, locally grown produce that is harvested at the optimal periods uses fewer resources, less time, and puts less of a load on the environment. It also requires less traveling.
Eat together in peace
Consuming food in a manner that is in harmony with the natural rhythms of the world makes sense from a variety of perspectives, including those pertaining to your finances, your body, and the planet that we all share.
As native inhabitants of this planet, it only makes sense that our nutritional requirements should coincide with the vitamins and minerals that can be found in the fruits and vegetables that are available throughout specific periods of the year.
If you work with nature rather than against it, you may bring more flavorful and nutritious foods to your table without breaking the bank. This is one of the many benefits of permaculture.
It is the job of food, after all, to keep you alive, healthy, and strong; thus, if you can accomplish all of those things while simultaneously saving money and benefiting the environment, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved.