Cool crisp mornings, trees blazing with color, apple harvests and everything pumpkin are a few of the things that mark the start of fall. You’ve also probably noted that your grocery store is embracing all the delicious produce that comes with this season, so if you haven’t made the switch yet, now is the time!
Fall as opposed to summer is about slowing down with hearty and cozy meals that provide comfort, which sound perfect before the holiday craze. And the good news for you is that not only is the autumn harvest perfect for creating comforting meals that will warm up your kitchen but these seasonal fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients that are needed for reducing the risk of nutritional imbalances and maintaining good health.
Benefits of eating seasonally and locally
Choosing seasonal produce near you can have a big impact on your health and the health of our planet. Being able to find fresh strawberries year round is a nice perk of the global economy but they probably traveled thousands of miles before reaching your supermarket. Reducing “food miles,” the distance our food travels through the extensive supply chain to reach our plate, reduces greenhouse emissions. Eating seasonally and locally may also be better for your health as it encourages a varied diet and this is essential for getting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients your body needs and may not get if you stick to the same foods year round. Additionally, local seasonal foods taste better and nutrient content is at its highest because they are grown in optimum conditions and harvested at peak ripeness. Keep in mind that seasonal produce may depend on where you live but here is a list of common fruits and vegetables that are in season during the fall.
Fruits
Pumpkin gets all the glory this time of year but try to up your game with this handy list of fruits. Yes, pumpkin is actually a fruit!
-Apples
-Asian Pears
-Bell peppers
-Cranberries
-Dates
-Figs
-Grapes
-Kumquats
-Persimmon
-Pomegranate
Vegetables
Nothing says fall more than delicious and cozy meals and you are in luck because we have some nutritious, healthy and heartwarming recipes featuring our BeBOLD Bars and some of our favorite fall vegetable harvest.
–Beets
-Broccoli
-Brussel Sprouts
-Cabbage
-Cauliflower
-Celery
-Collard Greens
-Endive
-Fennel
-Green Beans
-Kale
-Parsnips
-Sweet Potatoes (This Sweet Potato Casserole with BeBOLD Streusel will be your new favorite side dish for Thanksgiving.)
-Turnips
-Pumpkin *
-Acorn Squash *
-Delicata Squash *
-Butternut Squash *
–Spaghetti Squash * (If you are looking to indulge in a vegan creamy and cheesy spaghetti squash dish look no further than this super easy 9 ingredient recipe featuring our BeBOLD Cashew Bar).
*Technically a fruit but treated like a vegetable.
As you can see, there are many nutritious and delicious fall fruits and vegetables available for you to take advantage of and add to your plate. The power of nutrition is achieved through a varied diet, so whether you are hitting your local grocery store or nearest farmers market try adding one of these amazing fall fruits and veggies to your grocery cart each week this season.