Exploring The Significance of Local And Seasonal Eating

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From doctors, and nutritionists to health experts, all of them are encouraging people to include seasonal and local food items in their diet. Be it fruits or vegetables, focusing on season-specific food items enhances the nutrition level. The reason why health experts stress making food habits seasonal is that a majority of fruits and vegetables are available throughout the year. However, not all of them are season-specific and are most likely sources from cold storage, which offers little or no health benefits.

Each season offers fresh fruits and vegetables and is rich in nutrients, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. As climate fuels the growth of these vegetables, the body absorbs the nutrients more easily. But there are various other reasons why your body may crave local produce:

More nutrients and flavors

Locally produced food is harvested fresh and has a longer shelf life. Moreover, it does not have to endure the damaging effects of shipping. Generally, food items that need to travel long distances are usually harvested long before the right time. For instance, Vitamin C is usually much higher in locally produced food and vegetables compared to those that are picked before ripening. Moreover, recent food will have higher quantities of phytonutrients and vitamins. Also, the flavor of those items will stay intact for a longer time.

Local eating is eco-friendly

Compared to fresh fruits and vegetables that are picked during the season, food that needs to travel by boat, aircraft, or truck across countries and cities consumes more fuel. Generally, big cargo vehicles are used for transporting food, which releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gases. When you buy local or seasonal food, you don’t contribute to emissions and make the planet more eco-friendly.

Seasonal food is cheaper

The seasonal crops that the farmers produce are naturally cheaper as they come in bulk quantities. Therefore, local food products reduce the cost of logistics. If you are not aware, consuming fruits and vegetables that are off-season and fetched from cold storage is more beneficial for health. So, instead of demanding fruits and vegetables of another season, include seasonal food for good health and for staying within your budget.

Know what you can get

The crop production tactics today bring a greater choice of food items. Unfortunately, certain fruits and vegetables that are grown in another location may make it harder for you to get information about how it is produced or the nutrients included in it. On the contrary, the easiest way to know what you are eating is where it is coming from.

Prevent food wastage

The more food items stay in transit or storage higher the chance of it becoming spoiled. There is no denying that more than half of all food wastage occurs in the supply chain. When you buy local and seasonal food, you can prevent the risk of wastage and get to the shelves.

The next time you go food shopping, a good option would be to check the list of seasonal items. Keep an eye on fresh food items for the season and the label of origin before you buy.  The easiest way to view what is in season is by buying from the local farmer’s market and making sure you get those fruits and vegetables that retain the flavor and nutrition.

Theresa Perez

Theresa Perez is a seasoned writer for the health industry dedicated to providing fact-based health information. She sources concise facts from authoritative sources to ensure maximum credibility and shares guidelines to lead a healthy lifestyle.