Seasons Greetings!!

Each season has a different effect on our bodies, Each season is meant to alter our metabolism and revive our systems. In humans, Mood and immunity are well known to change with seasons . The food we consume, is directly related to our Mood and Immunity during each season. If not, Imagine sitting by a pool on a sticky summer morning with a hot bowl of soup… Or with a cone of ice-cream on a chilly winter day whilst wrapped up in shawls and sweaters… Doesn’t seem right, Does it?

Eating out of sync with nature simply means, our otherwise HEALTHY food is not as healthy as it could be. This could be because of two reasons- One, The earth is not able to grow and nourish the same type of food throughout the year. Two, our bodies aren’t able to process the same food throughout the year either. It is Important to acknowledge the different types of food and the impact they have on us, which help our body get back into balance during different times of the year.

Here are some more advantages of consuming Seasonal fruits and vegetables:

• It is affordable to buy them as they are available more abundantly.
• They are more juicy, healthy and tasty as they are most likely to be ripened on the tree and grown is most natural circumstances.
• They hold the most natural color and flavor.
• They contain their Highest Nutritional value, vitamins, micro-nutrients, and antioxidants since they are growing in conditions that are most appreciated by them.

Developing seasonal diets may seem foolish in an age where most of nature’s produce is available all throughout the year. However, The availability of said produce, might not necessarily justify it’s nutritional value. Most fruits that are available throughout the year in the markets are injected, artificially ripened, powder-coated, wax- coated, color enhanced, chemically fertilized, etc. The methods of bluffing their buyers are endless. We usually fall for them. We should consider and be aware of these inorganic methods of Producing fruits and vegetables, and how even though they are fruits and vegetables (and generally thought to be healthy) they might be causing more harm than good.

Like every living organism, growth and development will only occur in environments that are highly appreciated by the organism. If not, the organism must obtain it’s requirements from Inorganic/ Unnatural means. Considering fruits and vegetables, if the plant is not able to draw the required Nutrition and minerals from the soil or the climatic conditions do not support the plant, the plant will be force-fed nutrients. The nutrients provided might be good for the fruits/ veggies, in the sense, they will promote growth, enhance product quality and sometimes add nutrients to the soil. The product obtained unnaturally might even yield higher income than Fruits and Vegetables grown in absolute Natural circumstances. However, these added nutrients will hinder the nutritional level of the fruits and vegetables.

Summer fruits and vegetables are generally high in water content. They aid in cooling down the body and replenishing the water content of our body. Coconut water, Melons, Mangoes, Mint, Green Leafy Vegetables, Lime water, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Brinjals, Pumpkin and Citrus Fruits should make up most of our summer diet.

Winter Fruits and Veggies, nourish the body, as this is the time our body is low in strength, the cold environment makes our body work slower, so most foods that we usually consume are more difficult to digest by our body. Pomegranate, Apple, Grapes, Strawberry, Guava, Beets, Cauliflower, Capsicum, Spinach, Carrot, etc.,  help provide the body with necessary nutrients without using too much of energy to digest the food.

Monsoon season is when our body is low on immunity and very prone to bacterial infections. Gourds mostly Grow during this period and have highest anti-bacterial properties, while leafy vegetables must be avoided since they are grown directly in the soil which is more prone to bacteria. Okra, Brinjal, Jamun, Plum, also grow in abundance during this season. Legumes and pulses should also make up our diet for this season.

Seasonal eating may seem like a recent trend, but it was the norm for generations. Have you heard of Ritucharya? Ayurveda has depicted various rules and regimens aka ‘Charya‘. Ritucharya simply means ayurvedic principles regarding diet aka ‘Ritu’. I’m pretty sure my philosophy teacher would be very proud to know that I have put this knowledge to use. I hope you will be more considerate towards your health and the health of the environment, the next time you are buying your fruits and vegetables.

I’m curious to know how you feel, please feel free to drop in a text via the comments section below. Like, Follow and Share.

Love,

Ingrid