How To Eat With Each Season And Why It Is Beneficial For You To Do So
The days are delightfully longer and the sun feels warm against your skin. The foliage is greener from the rainy days of the spring and you can feel summer rapidly approaching.
You certainly feel less resistance with lighter moods, and sometimes this makes you gravitate towards lighter food like fresh fruit or shaved ice because it feels right.
Then you attend some summer event, festival, or social gathering where the foods are heavy, oily, and spicy. While it seems delightful initially, it takes a toll on your body especially if you go to several of these events during the hotter season.
Ayurveda teaches to balance your body with the opposing element, i.e. eat cooling foods during warm days/seasons and warming foods during cool and cold days/seasons.
For example, lighter and even less food in the hot summer can help balance your body as it transitions with the earth into the new season.
Then eating seasonally gets specific.
It comes down to what kinds of foods are in and out of season AS WELL AS what grows in your geographical area.
Some great concepts to consider before perusing the month-by-month list in this article are:
- berries in summer, citrus fruits in the winter
- warming stews, broths, and soups in the winter
- fresh salads, raw fruits and vegetables, and smoothies in the summer
- root vegetables for the fall and winter
- eat lighter or even less food in the spring and summer
- warmer climates may eat more raw foods throughout the year whereas colder climates may need to be wary of doing so and opt for more warming foods
- you can find balance with heavier and dense food in the fall/winter, but avoid airy foods like crackers, cookies, and other baked goods
If you do not want to join a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) or do not have access to a farmer’s market like many blogs tend to recommend (for good reason), check out the information below for your grocery shopping needs.
For January, think about warming the soul for your rest and reflection with soups, stews, oils, etc. Some fruits and vegetables to consider:
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Pomegranates
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Tangelos
- Tangerines
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
For February, it is still pretty cold (for most climates), so stick to similar eating patterns as January but add more lightly stir-fried meals. However, more foods come into light this month:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Parsnip
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tangelos
- Turnips
March…is spring time! This is a wonderful time to do a fast or a cleanse as you set your intention for the new season. Time to get that counteract the slow energy created in the cold winter with the following fruits and vegetables:
- Artichokes
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Parsnip
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Spring peas
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
April has more spring-y vegetables come into the play as we continue to transition into the rainy season.
- Artichokes
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Collard greens
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spring peas
- Strawberries
- Sweet onions
May is the start of summertime (unofficially!), and the warmer weather is very much welcome. Think more raw fruits and veggies like salads, smoothies, and even a light stir fry. Try incorporating foods in the list below:
- Apricots
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Collard greens
- Cucumber
- Grapes
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Spring peas
- Strawberries
- Sweet onions
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
June’s official summer days bring us the following summer goodies:
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Corn
- Garlic
- Kiwi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
July has a few of the same as June, but the same concept remains. Think about balancing the heat with these cooler foods:
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Kiwi
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Peaches
- Peppers
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
August still brings the summer heat! This is a great month to reflect on how the summer has been going. Some great August foods are:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Green beans
- Kiwi
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Peaches
- Peppers
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
September is when summer festivities start to calm down, school semesters begin, Pumpkin Spice becomes the rage, and only a few weeks of summer remain. This a great month to set your intention for the upcoming season. Ensure to eat some of September’s yummy foods:
- Apples
- Beets
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Grapes
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Peppers
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
Officially fall, October brings in the change of season where you need to bring more oils into your diet. Continue to hydrate here with water, vegetables, and herbal teas because you’ll be going indoors more with the cold weather. Some wonderful October foods are:
- Apples
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Parsnips
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
- Winter squash
November…the deep autumn. You are definitely hungrier this season. Eat your final meal before nightfall and avoid drying foods like crackers, cookies, and other baked goods as well as cold foods that are more optimized for summer time. Get as much natural light as possible. Eat warming spices and root vegetables. Check out the list below:
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Tangerines
- Turnips
- Winter squash
December — this month tends to have a more cold than warm days! As the winter continues, you can feel better eating heavier foods this season; think more protein and more oils. Salty foods can help you out as it remains difficult to stay hydrated this season. It may help you to eat spicier dishes this month. Peruse the list below:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Papayas
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Rutabagas
- Sweet potatoes
- Tangelos
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
Hope this helps you on your journey of connecting to the rhythm of the earth. I highly recommend one of my main sources for this article as lifestyle wisdom to carry with you through the seasons, listed below:
- Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar
Save this article to continually reference! Life is busy, and you have better things to do other than memorize lists.