Eat Seasonally: Your Body Will Love It!
By Leslie Knopp
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Here in Northern Michigan, we’re in the midst of one of my favorite times of year. The morning frost has subsided, the trees are in bloom and the earth has awakened.
Because we live in a cold climate where the growing season is dormant in winter, eating seasonally can seem difficult. In addition, year-round supermarkets offer a tempting cornucopia of fruits and vegetables. Don’t let these circumstances distract you! With a bit of research and planning, we can easily eat our food when it is at its peak of freshness and nutritional value.
Eating seasonally is especially beneficial for seniors. Fresh, local produce is packed with nutrients. As adults age, their bodies require fewer calories as their metabolism slows–therefore every meal and snack counts. Older adults need the fiber, vitamins, minerals and enzymes that fresh food provides.
Produce that travels long distances must be picked before it’s had a chance to ripen, and nutritional value decreases every day after harvest. For this reason, the fruits and vegetables from far away places don’t contain the maximum nutritional value. In addition, many easy to prepare processed foods that have limited nutritional value.
In Michigan, our outdoor growing season lasts from April to October. In our area, it all starts with tender, tasty asparagus in May. To find more information about when foods are ready pick in our area, visit
http://localdifference.org and click on Ready to Pick. Lots of great information about local growers, retailers and more is available on the site.
The following are additional hints and tips to help you eat fresh, seasonal and nutritious food:
• During winter months, if you can’t get locally grown produce, look for produced that’s been shipped the shortest distance. Since we’re in the Midwest, opt for foods from the Gulf Coast.
• Extend the availability of fresh produce through freezing, canning and preserving. Check out websites like Allrecipes.com for delicious ideas.
• Healthy food still tastes great! Use lemon juice, herbs, spices and olive oil to add flavor.
• If you have difficulty biting or chewing raw foods, cut them into small pieces or grate them on top of other dishes.
• Enrich foods to boost nutrition. For example, spread peanut butter on apple slices, and add extra veggies to sandwiches or pasta.
When we eat locally and seasonally, we’re able to gain essential nutrients for optimal health. By maintaining a healthy diet of fresh foods, seniors are able to gain energy, strengthen their immune system and slow the onset of many diseases. Keep up the good nutrition!
Leslie Knopp is the owner of Comfort Keepers, serving all of Northwest Michigan. To learn more, contact 231.929.9044 or traversecitymi@comfortkeepers.com.