Improve Your Diet Instantly - Fall Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
When you buy foods that are in season, they’re less processed, have a richer flavour and are generally less expensive that fruits and vegetables that are out of season. It is also easier to eat locally when you focus on foods that are in season. If you’re looking for a season that has a fruit and vegetable party all season long its fall!
Apples - there are so many varieties! If you don’t like one kind you’re sure to find another. High in soluble fiber and vitamin C with fairly low calories (approx. 95 per avg size). These beauties have also been shown to help with weight loss. Scientists believe it the antioxidants and pectin that help with the weight loss power.
Beets - best in the fall! They are high in nitrates which means that they help our blood vessels open so blood can flow more freely throughout the body, helping to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Nitrates can also lead to improvements in the brain. The antioxidants in the beets help with detoxification in the body. And beets have the ability to improve athletic performance by enhancing muscle contractions.
Cranberries - the best this time of year! They have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. A lesser known fact is that cranberries prevent bad oral bacteria from setting up shop in our mouths and they help to improve the integrity of gum tissue.
Pears - high in soluble fiber which helps to lower “bad” cholesterol and vitamins B2, C, E and potassium.
Pomegranates - have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any food! They’ve also been shown to help lower inflammation and blood pressure. A full pomegranate provides 70% of your daily vitamin C, they’ve got loads of fiber. My favourite way to eat pomegranates right now is to add them to my oatmeal in the morning.
Pumpkins - besides being a decoration on most front porches this time of year, pumpkins can be a great vegetable to incorporate into your diet. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Also high in beta carotene which is amazing for skin health and studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of cancer. Plus check out my post on pumpkin seeds and how much of an amazing addition they are for your diet.
Sweet potatoes - the ultimate autumn comfort food! They are one of the best sources of vitamin A. They help to support healthy vision and have anti-inflammatory properties to support your body. They help with digestion because of their high fiber content. Sweet potatoes are a "complex carb" so our bodies are better at converting them to energy than compared to white potatoes or bread.
Brussel Sprouts - they may be small, but they are mighty! An 80 gram serving of these has four times more vitamin C than an orange! They're also a great source of protein, iron, potassium and fiber.
There are so many amazing fruits and vegetables that are coming into season right now. I encourage you to try some new produce, embrace fruits and vegetables that you love and give brussel sprouts an honest try! All of the fruits and vegetables I mentioned can be great to add to most meals or if you've got a busy lifestyle try adding them to your daily smoothie.