Better for you: seasonal, local food...

Spring is here! And if you’re keen to look your best for summer, now is the time to eat yourself beautiful!  New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating went out the window two weeks into January? It’s about time to crank up the effort once again.  Spring not only brings a wealth of colourful, more-ish ingredients but the increased levels of sunshine renew a healthy habit in us all.

Fruit and vegetables are nature’s own convenience foods. The best way to ensure you are getting the most nutritional, the tastiest and the best value produce is to eat in season.  We have grown accustomed to year-round availability of carrots, bananas and pears; however, this is due to artificial heating, lighting, and produce which is flown halfway across the world.  Eating in season means that you try to eat fruit and veg that would naturally be available at that time of year, but why is this better?

Firstly, it means that less energy is used to grow and transport the fruit and vegetables.  Eating local produce significantly reduces the carbon footprint too. A study conducted last September found that more than half of respondents believed that food products which had a negative effect on the environment should be given an additional ‘green tax’.   Some brands are already printing a Carbon Reduction Label on items to show the amount of carbon dioxide released in growing the food, packaging and transportation, but it remains to be seen whether this information will have an influence on consumers purchasing decisions.

Secondly, eating in season allows you to avoid paying a premium for produce which is scarce or has been transported a long way; makes sense this one.  A quick glance in my fridge finds blueberries and grapes; both quite ‘pricey’ fruits and both from Chile. All the way from South America!  I’m pretty sure we grow grapes in Europe, or maybe they’re reserved for wine..?

If you buy in-season food locally, you can support your local economy and reduce your carbon footprint.  Even better, why not try and grow your own? Easy-to-grow produce includes strawberries, runner beans, radish, lettuce, courgette, carrot, potato, spinach and beetroot.  If you’re lucky enough to live in a slightly more tropical climate you can experiment with citrus fruits, avocado and cherries.  Growing your own is highly rewarding, and it will taste better too; start now to have a delicious selection by summer time.

In April you can sow tomato, beetroot and courgette seeds.  Start the seeds indoors in little pots and transfer to grow bags outside once they have blossomed into saplings.   Also try salad seeds; lettuce and rocket grow well and once grown provide a quick and easy way of getting your salad – and it doesn’t come out of an overpriced pre-prepared bag.

If you can’t wait until the summer to taste the fruits of your labour, here is a list of the produce now at their best (the fruits of someone else’s labour).

Why not try: Cauliflower,  Chicory,  Radishes, Rhubarb, Broccoli, Spring onion, Spinach, Potatoes, Cucumber.

So there you have it.  Already sorted your new season wardrobe?  Now it’s time to turn your attention to a fresh new season diet. Guilt free eating at its best!

Try this spicy Thai salad to make use of cucumbers – sesonal food for now…