Seasonal Shopping Secrets: Why Timing Makes All the Difference
- Dolapo Balogun
- Sep 23, 2024
- 3 min read
Welcome to the eight installment of Game Changers! Here, we get to talk about all things nutrition with me, Dolapo Balogun. I’m a registered and licensed dietitian who gets to use this platform to give you all trusted, evidence-based information. This means, you can trust Game Changing Fuel as a source for all the 411 on nutrition. This is our space to not only get real, but also get informed. 🧐
Okay, so someone has to say it...
🗣TIMES ARE TOUGH OUT HERE.
Inflation is very real and the cost of living is not like it was before. We'd be ignorant if we were giving you all of this great advice about how to fuel your body for better health without acknowledging the realities that impact the customers and readers that we value and love.
Having access to nutritious foods is becoming more and more difficult, and this is vital no matter who you are!
So we wanted to take the blog in a different direction and help teach you a concept that allows you to not only maximize your health, but also maximize your savings!
Have you ever gone into the store and noticed that one month something like strawberries cost $1.99 a pack, just to go in a month later to see that it now costs $7.99 a pack?
Yeah, even us food experts know and expect this to happen and it equally grinds our gears, too. So, what happened? 😳
Seasonal eating has an abundance of impacts on nutrition. If you can understand the difference between shopping in-season vs shopping out-of-season, your pockets (and tastebuds!) will end up thanking you!
High Nutritional Value
If you're an active individual, which most of our readers are, it's vital for you to eat the right foods for peak performance. When produce is in-season, they tend to have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
So what does this mean for you? The higher levels of nutrients will help support energy levels and enhance recovery and immune function among other benefits!
The antioxidants from the produce help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. In-season produce often contains higher levels of these protective compounds, contributing to better overall health.
Better Taste and Quality
Another benefit of shopping in-season means that the flavor and texture of the produce is at it's peak! Think about how sweet those $1.99 strawberries are in the summertime vs the $7.99 pack in winter.
This is crucial for meal enjoyment and satisfaction, helping you avoid produce that may be bland and be less appealing to the tastebuds.
Think about it, if food tastes good, don't you think it'll help you stick to your healthy eating habits? At Game Changing Fuel this is a cornerstone to our philosophy! Only the best for y'all.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Shopping in-season ensure high-quality food for a lower cost (for our wallets and for the world).
For my environmental peeps, there's huge advantage to this as well. In-season produce reduces the carbon footprint and supports sustainable farming practices. This is because the produce that hasn't traveled long distances or needs refrigeration (we <3 Mother Earth).
And for the finance bros? Seasonal shopping supports local communities, agricultures, and markets.
💰 Finally, we have a pro-tip for you to save even more money: shop in the frozen and canned aisle, especially when your favorite produce is out of season! Frozen and canned foods are usually harvested when the produce is ripe, ensuring the peak nutrition for peak performance! 💰
Here are some fruits and vegetables that are in season right now!
Fruits | Veggies |
Apples | Broccoli |
Figs | Kale |
Nectarines | Peppers |
Pomegranates | Sweet Potatoes |
So what can you do to start incorporating these tips today? A low hanging fruit is while the weather is still nice out, why not explore your local farmers' market this weekend?
Nothing beats a weekend market with your pals or kids with a fresh lemonade in hand... I think I just figured out what I'm doing on Saturday!
See y'all there?
With gratitude, Dolapo ✌️
Until next time. . .
Leave a comment if any piece of this blog resonated with you. What was your favorite take away? What did you relate to the most? 💬
Subscribe & share this blog with your network, friends, and family! Don't gate keep this information that everyone should have access to. 🗣
Message us a specific topic you've been dying to get a health professional's take on! 📲
Click here to set up a discovery call to work with Game Changing Fuel virtually or learn more about our meal prep services. 🍎
Comments