Dietitians are finally settling the debate over whether it is “healthier” to eat “in season” fruit.
Judy Simon, a registered and certified dietitian, who produces produce out of season in the United States is usually imported from countries where it is in season.
However, because fruits and vegetables must be shipped thousands of miles to U.S. grocery stores, they are picked well before the ideal time.
It is important to stock up on fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to benefit from their vitamins and minerals. But depending on the time of year, some products may be healthier than others.
Simon said Very good health : “As they have to travel a long distance, they are harvested well before they reach their peak.”
During their long journey, products can lose nutritional value, become more expensive and less durable.
Ms Simon added: “Seasonal produce can remain on the tree, plant or vine until it is fully ripe and ripe.
“This provides us with more natural flavors and nutrients.” Nutrients are lost when products have to travel long distances.
And foods that aren’t ripe contain fewer nutrients than produce that’s in season.
Dr Carolyn Williams, dietician and culinary instructor, told DailyMail.com: ‘Ripe produce tends to be higher in nutrients – particularly antioxidants like vitamin C – compared to unripe produce. On the other hand, the mineral content does not really change.
“There’s no reason to eat unripe produce – unless you prefer the taste (but) you may be missing out on higher levels of antioxidants.”
Besides nutrition, seasonal fruits and vegetables tend to taste better and cost less.
Ms Simon added: “If you buy local and if you can buy fresh, the flavors can definitely be better and the nutrient content will be higher than something that is shipped and transported.”
When produce is harvested locally and doesn’t have to be shipped, it reduces transportation and storage costs, which means you save money at checkout.
Eating seasonally also means you can alternate the minerals and vitamins you get from food, adding diversity to your diet and optimizing your health.
And seasonal produce can even help your body cope with changing weather: watermelon provides extra hydration during hot summer temperatures, and potatoes provide extra calories when the air cools.
