Why do we crave certain foods as the seasons change?
Recipe and tips to feed your seasonal cravings this Spring.
Springtime is Here!
Springtime has arrived again. As we enter into the warmer months and winter’s grip steadily fades, many of us are venturing outdoors to get fresh air and seek to achieve our healthiest self to take on the rest of 2020. Spring reminds us of new beginnings, fresh starts, inspiration for growth, and embracing positive change. And, what better place to start than your health!
Climate, environment, and seasonal change play a profound role in the foods we crave and the nutrition we need. Seasonal cravings are real. As temperatures heat up, a desire for lighter meals – rather than the dense lunches and dinners we indulged in all winter – kicks in. We often crave fresh salads and veggies as our bodies naturally want to rid ourselves of any extra weight we had put on during the winter months. So, it is time to replace the heavy stews with drier, lighter, more fragrant meals, crisp veggies, and juicy fruits – particularly those harvested during the Spring months.
Benefits Of Eating Seasonal Springtime Meals
The concept of eating foods that match the season is anything but new. In fact, this idea has been around since the beginning of time when hunters and gatherers consumed only the foods available to them given the time of year. However, with exponentially more options available to us today, eating seasonally calls for a little more intuition, mindfulness, and listening to what our bodies want.
What To Eat For Your Springtime Meal
Eating seasonally has its benefits; in-season foods tend to be more reasonably priced and have a richer flavor compared to out-of-season produce. To incorporate seasonal foods into your diet, start by foraging for fruits and veggies at your local farmers’ markets and grocery stores adhering to these Springtime tips:
- Opt for fresh, organic vegetables and fruits and legumes, lentils, and beans.
- Go light on meat, wheat, dairy, and sugar to avoid digestive strain.
- When it comes to grains, choose lighter options such as millet, quinoa, and rice.
- Add fresh seasonings and spices, such as black pepper, sea salt, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, and mustard seeds.
- Go for color! A plate with greens, yellows, reds, purples, oranges, blues, etc. can indicate a nutrient-dense plate.
While in-season fruits and veggies are dependent on the region you live in, common in-season Spring options to put in your cart include:
- Apricots
- Artichokes
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Carrots
- Cherries
- Chives
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Kiwis
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Mangoes
- Morels
- Peas
- Pineapples
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Watercress
