Boots your health by eating seasonally with
Amanda Hamilton’s top shopping tips
“Seasonal eating and its benefits for your
health have long been recognized by ancient medical systems, in particular
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As we move from winter into spring, now is
the perfect time to consider how the food you eat plays a role in balancing
your body with your environment. Climate, the seasons and weather conditions
can all have an impact on wellbeing.
According to TCM spring is the time of year
for energy and regrowth. We see this in nature; the countryside literally comes
alive with flowers and crops, the hedgerows are filled with new buds and lambs
cavort in the fields. It’s time to reduce the warming foods our bodies
typically crave in winter, such as hearty soups, salty foods and filling
grains.
For your body to benefit from the renewed
energy of springtime, foods should be eaten raw or lightly steamed to maximize
their health benefits. Fresh leafy greens (kale, chard, bok choi), celery,
sprouts and young root vegetables should feature the most on your plate. These
foods will energise you, rather than leave you feeling too full or heavy. Serve
them as a colourful salad or stir-fry with a quick flash in the pan to retain
their nutrients.
Ancient medicine is not alone in
recognizing the importance of seasonal eating. Nutritionists and dieticians are
increasingly advocating this way of eating in a bid to encourage us to eat a
more varied diet in the UK.
It’s easy to stick to the foods you enjoy
eating all year round, but by limiting your food choices you are putting
yourself at risk of food intolerances and fatigue. Supermarkets make all kinds
of food available, regardless of the season, so if you gravitate towards your
favourites, you’re less likely to experiment with new fruit or veg. But just
because something is available, it doesn’t mean it’s the healthiest choice. For
example, why are strawberries available in December? Have they been transported
long distances, or irradiated to keep them fresh? If the answer is yes, their
nutritional value is probably compromised.
And if for no other reason, eat seasonally
to protect the environment. It can be a hard task to fill your shopping trolley
with local produce at the supermarket, but it’s worth giving it a go. Choosing
not to buy foods that are “out of season” will cut down food miles, reducing
carbon emissions and the amount of energy consumed storing the food, plus you
could save pennies. Eating seasonally is easier if you look for locally grown
produce. Visit local-farmers-markets.co.uk, to find producers near you.
Amanda Hamilton is a nutritionist, health
expert and author of three wellbeing books, who regularly features on BBC
television and radio, GMTV and UKTV. She’s the founder and director of a
retreat company. See amandahamilton.co.uk
Eating seasonally will vary your diet.
Top
tip!
Stumped for dinner solutions but have a
fridge full of delicious seasonal veg? Why not try the Riverford Organic Recipe
app for the iPhone. It’s free and there are over 770 recipes at your
fingertips. Simply scroll through to find the items of veg you have in your
kitchen, for example carrots, leeks and broccoli. Click “Results” and a list of
recipes will appear using those three ingredients. You can also save your
favourite recipes so they’re always close to hand! Itunes.apple.com/gb.
Q+ A
I have an organic vegetable box
delivered to my house on a weekly basis, which contains seasonal and local veg,
but is it possible to buy fish seasonally as well?
Buying fish seasonally applies to wild
rather than farmed fish. The easiest way to eat seasonally is to visit your
local fishmonger, because supermarkets tend to sell a smaller range of seasonal
fish. Mackerel is available almost all year round and isn’t endangered, making
it a good option. Favourites such as salmon, available from mid-February until
mid-September, and cod, available from July until January, are worth buying
seasonally to protect their population in the wild. The Marine Conservation
Society has lots of advice for buying fish seasonally. Visit mcsuk.org for more
information.
