We are all told how good seasonal foods are, but why? Well I can tell you a bit to help you understand better. Let's take this season for instance. Pumpkin is fantastic for vitamin A, as are other squash family vegetables with an orange or yellow color.
Pomegranates are great for antioxidant health and keeping you healthy this time of year. These nutrients are helpful for keeping us healthy for the cold and flu season, and keeping the taste buds happy. Season foods add color and a lot of micro nutrients to our diet so that we can keep a healthy immune system to fight off all types of disease. Everything from antioxidants for cancers, to protection from viruses and other degenerative diseases. Our bodies need a huge variety in foods to keep things healthy and running smoothly. The best sources for vitamins and minerals and all micro nutrients is their natural food source...and organic at that. The best thing is to get the vitamins you need from the foods you eat and maybe take a whole foods multivitamin to add any back up additional help you may need. If you eat a largely organic, plant based, maybe even raw foods diet (vegan) than I would say make sure you are getting a fantastic variety. If not, then you have some work to do. Remember also that you shouldn't depend on supplements for your nutrients, but keep the fresh foods on hand for that. The other stuff should merely be a compliment to your intake. Keep it in whole foods form, and they can be found at your local health foods store, or at www.classicnutrition.net if you so choose. The name brands you see in the common drug stores are synthetic usually...even the best sellers. They can't be absorbed by the body, so hunt our a good whole foods vitamin if you are serious about getting or staying healthy!
Whatever you decide, just remember that the food source is the best source. Easy on the animal proteins like meat and dairy, and keep the fruits and vegetables high priority!
My seasonal favorite? A butternut squash soup, with onion, potato,garlic,carrots,broccoli,barley, and some cayenne pepper or "picka-peppa" sauce for flavor. I suggest the spicy stuff as alone it is bland. I make it with a vegetable base or vegetable broth, and add water not any milk of any kind. Enjoy it hot. For a treat with a hot drink I like vegan pumpkin bread, and that is a great family favorite too! There is a recipe on www.classicfitness.ning in the Nutrition Circle. Enjoy!!
