Season
antioxidant activity within a matter of days. * We buy
“fresh” fruits and vegetables because of superior taste
and perceived nutritional benefits, but unless it is
October, that crisp Fuji apple you just took a bite out
of wasn’t fresh at all. June through August, instead
of baking your famous apple pie for dessert, take
advantage of seasonal freshness and try peach
instead. Roasted acorn squash may sound
delicious, but replace it with zucchini, which
is at its nutritional peak in the summer.
Take advantage of the abundant summer growing season
by picking up some truly fresh raspberries and sugar snap
peas for the family to snack on. Your health and your
taste buds will thank you. *
Benefits of In-Season Produce
Along with a more pleasant aroma and taste and
better nutrient profiles, in a display of Mother Nature’s
brilliance, in-season produce often contains higher levels
of specific constituents that are in greater need that time
of year. For instance, summer fruits tend to have a higher
water content so that you can meet hydration needs
while enjoying the warm season weather. Watermelon
and strawberries have the highest fluid content of any
fruits, at approximately 92 percent water per volume,
narrowly outpacing other summer fruits, such as
grapefruit and cantaloupe. Similarly, summer cucumber
and zucchini are nearly 96 percent water. Research has
shown that refueling with summer fruits and vegetables
actually rehydr ates you better after a workout than
drinking water or even most sports drinks thanks to the
precise combination of water, amino acids, electrolytes,
and vitamins that are lost through perspiration. * Due to
extended darkness and cold weather, we tend to need
more dietary vitamin D throughout the fall and winter;
not surprisingly, some of the best sources of vitamin D,
such as portabella mushrooms, are at their peak in the
fall. A recently published review and meta-analysis has
also provided some evidence that foods high in vitamin D
may support the proper function of the immune system,
reducing risk for all those winter season health threats. *
Mother Nature knows what she’s doing.
SEAS
G TI
N
I
T
A
E
ONA L
PS
u
to help yo
ing guide
w
ro
g
’s
te
eason.
k your sta
uce is in s
d
1. Chec
ro
p
t
a
h
w
ight to the
determine
or go stra
t
e
k
r
a
m
rmer’s
a local fa
2. Visit
farm.
n
source: a
nsportatio
ra
T
.
s
e
ic
r
in-store p
nds to be
ention to
tt
a
y
a
P
roduce te
p
n
3.
o
s
a
e
in-s
isn’t free;
.
cheaper
ers by
cale farm
s
-
A).
ll
a
m
s
l
ulture (CS
loca
ic
r
r
u
g
o
y
A
d
rt
e
o
rt
Suppo
4. Supp
ommunity
ivity.
joining a C
family act
t
a
e
r
g
a
arden for
our own g
y
t
n
la
P
5.
*
For research references email: [email protected]
doterra.com / 9