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Medical Video: Stanford Digestive Health Center: Sensible Seasonal Eating
Eating seasonal food means enjoying the freshest food at the time of its natural harvest. This also means supporting local farmers to supply their products to your plate. You will also experiment with good food that might not have occurred to you to put it in the menu.
Keep in mind that there are variations of food that are in season in the area where you live. It's good to look for local fresh produce at a reasonable price (generally when a product is in season, the amount is abundant and the price is cheaper)
Now we often forget about the season when we eat. Modern food processing, technology, and global food distribution make all food available throughout the year — supermarket shelves look more or less the same every week.
Below are some benefits of eating local and seasonal foods:
- Foods that are in season are fresher and allow you to get optimal nutrition.
- Eating seasonal foods and cooking seasonal foods allows for variations in diet that are far better for growth.
- Good learning opportunities for children.
- Children can make better food choices if they understand the concept of seasons and when and where food is produced.
- Seasonal food is usually cheaper because the amount is abundant and not sent from far away. By buying local fresh produce that is in season, you support the local economy.
- It is better for the environment because the production and distribution of fresh products from local seasonal products requires less energy ('smaller carbon footprint').
- And finally, the season is considered a source of natural diversity. Changes from the conditions of growth from season to season are important to balance the earth's resources and the contents of their lives (including us!)
So, it might be good to try — think creatively and get your kids to understand that the season forms a natural background for eating. For the best nutrition and freshness - look for foods that grow locally and are in season.
