Do you ever notice that certain times of the year you crave different types of food?

Maybe in the winter, the thought of a smoothie makes you shudder, while a mid-summer that’s all you can think of consuming. There’s a reason for that, and it’s also why seasonal eating is so important. It’s only a new phenomenon to basically eat whatever foods we want, whenever we want. Feel like some tropical fruit grown only in hot climates mid-winter? You got it! The effects of globalization mean we’re not as limited with our food choices as we once were.

The downside of this? When we’re purchasing fruits and vegetables that are not in season for our region, it is likely that they have been picked from further away and ripened during transportation. This also means that they are less nutrient-dense than their in-season counterparts. Lucky enough, for us living in Canada, produce is plentiful during the summer months. If you are trying to eat more seasonally, now is the time to get started! From farmers markets, to produce boxes, berry picking, and urban foraging, you have lots of options for healthy, seasonal produce.

Bonus points? When you eat seasonally, it usually means you support your local growers and have a better understanding of where your food is coming from! I truly believe that this connection is essential on your journey to better health.

What’s in season this summer?

Some of my favourite vegetables to keep in stock during the summer months include:

• Leafy greens: Swiss chard, salad greens, spinach, kale
• Cruciferous vegetables: Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage
• Leaks, onion, garlic
• Celery
• Green beans
• Zucchini
• Peppers
• Tomatoes

Some of my favourite fruits to keep in stock during the summer months include:

• Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries
• Stone fruit: nectarines, plumes, apricots
• Apples
• Pears
• Currants
• Watermelon

If you're looking for ways to eat more seasonally here in British Columbia, check out these resources:

• Farmer's Markets - You can usually find me at the Trout Lake market on a Saturday morning (if I'm not at the clinic!)
• Groceries - Spud Delivery makes eating local effortless!
• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box - If you are new to a CSA box, I suggest starting with your boxes in the summer months as there is much more fresh produce that you will be familiar with!