Eating Healthy in the Fall: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Nature is overflowing with a beautiful bounty of fruits and vegetables with such a wide variety of tastes and textures that you’re bound to find one you love. As the season changes and the temperature cools, you may be worried that you’ll have to sacrifice the tasty, fresh produce of the summer. While it is true that some summer vegetables like watermelon will be a bit harder to come by fresh and locally, fall has its own unique fruits and vegetables that are full of nutrients and rich flavors that make eating healthy fun and delicious.
Apples
From apple picking to bobbing for apples, these popular fall fruits live up to the Welsh proverb of ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’. Apples are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, making them a great healthy snack. Thanks to the abundance of varieties, you can also find the perfect apple for any fall dish from salads to pies.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are probably the first thing you think of when you think of autumn produce, and they’re good for much more than Halloween decorations. Not only are pumpkins low in calories, but they're also full of needed vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost your immune system, improves your skin and eyesight, and even lowers your risks of heart disease and cancer. While pumpkin pie is always a favorite, you can also roast the pumpkin seeds for a quick snack.
Carrots
On top of all nutritional benefits such as Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and antioxidants, carrots also offer an abundance of health benefits. Like all other fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, carrots can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Carrots can also help improve your eyesight due to the presence of Vitamin A. To add this tasty vegetable to your diet, you can try eating it plain in a snack platter at a holiday party or including it in your salads and roasts.
Pomegranates
While they can be tricky to open if you haven’t eaten one before, pomegranates are amazing fall fruits that are both tasty and beneficial. You can eat the seeds, drink the juice, or use the fruit in your cooking such as a marinade for your meats or a glaze. However you decide to eat it, pomegranates are known for helping to prevent cancer due to their antioxidants as well as offering Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and fiber.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are one of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes. They’re packed full of Vitamins B and C as well as other vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium. Sweet potatoes are low glycaemic food, which means that they don’t have an instant effect ton your blood sugar, helping you to maintain your weight. You can also replace common, unhealthy snacks, such as French fries and chips, with a sweet potato styled recipe that allows you to enjoy your favorite treats while eating healthier.
- Tags: fall, fruit, healthy eating, vegetables
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