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There are so many delicious foods to eat in autumn – apples, squash, pumpkin seeds, and more. Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy these tasty flavours. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be tasteless or bland – in this post, I am going to take a look at some of the best Autumn foods for your health.
The Best Autumn Foods For Your Health
Personally, I find Autumn one of the easiest times of year to eat healthily due to the abundance of fresh produce, especially around harvest time.
I like to take advantage of this by batch cooking healthy soups and stews ready for the winter months. That’s not to say I don’t like to throw in a few treats too! This Somerset Apple Cake is one of my all-time favourite Autumn Recipes.
Why Seasonal Food is Good For You
There are many benefits to eating seasonally. One of these is that the food tends to be fresher and tastes better when it’s in season.
The food also has a different nutrient profile. You’ll find that fresh vegetables and fruits have higher levels of vitamins and minerals than those that aren’t in season. That is not to diminish the benefits of frozen food though – I love filling up my freezer with frozen veggies for both cost and convenience.
Advantages of eating seasonal foods:
-It tastes better
-It is fresher
-It has a different nutrient profile
-There’s an abundance of fresh produce
-Seasonal food is often cheaper
What are the Best Autumn Foods to Eat in Fall?
We have all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and it’s true! Apples are high in fibre and antioxidants, so they can help you lower your cholesterol levels.
Apples are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which boosts the immune system and helps prevent certain types of cancer.
Squash is high in fibre which helps lower cholesterol, improves digestion, and reduce inflammation in the body.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients that can help control blood sugar levels and they also contain zinc which aids with male reproductive health.
Pumpkin is another great autumn food that is full of essential nutrients like vitamin A, fibre, iron, carotenoids, and potassium.
Some other great fall foods are sweet potatoes (high in vitamin A), cranberries (high in vitamin C), green beans (high in calcium), and broccoli or cauliflower (high in iron).
Foraging For Food In Autumn
Autumn is the perfect time for foraging and what could be healthier than picking organically food grown from the wild?
Blackberries are the easiest food to forage for and are abundant in most hedgerows from late July right through until the beginning of October.
Other fruits to look out for when foraging in autumn include apples, damsons, wild strawberries, wild raspberries, sloes and hawthorn berries. These can be eaten as they are, preserved in jams and jellies or made into part of a larger dish such as pies.
Healthy Autumn Recipes
Need some inspiration? Here are some healthy autumn recipes to get you inspired.
Roasted Cauliflower Curry Soup
Healthy Apple and Blackberry Crumble
Eat Seasonal Produce to Stay Healthy this Autumn
In conclusion, eating seasonal produce is one of the best things you can do for your health. It’s not just about eating healthy and lower calories – it will also help you enjoy what you’re eating and get the most out of this season with cheaper or even free food.
