How to Eat Seasonally All Year Long

The modern world makes it easier than ever to eat whatever we like, whenever we like. Craving strawberries in January? No problem. Want to whip up a batch of sweet potatoes or pumpkin spice muffins for a springtime snack? You got it.

But it wasn’t all that long ago that people ate according to the seasons. They knew what grew best in their backyard, when to harvest it and how to store it properly to enjoy later.

As handy as some of our modern amenities may be, you can make a strong case for the benefits of eating seasonally. If you’re curious about this approach to food and want to try your hand at it in your own kitchen, read on for our how-to guide to help you along the way.

What Is Seasonal Eating?

At the risk of sounding a little too simple, seasonal eating is simply eating what is in season. It will look different for everyone based on where they live and what grows in their area.

See more: What’s in Season? Produce Calendars for All 50 States

What Are the Benefits of Eating Seasonally?

There are many benefits to following the natural rhythms of the seasons in your diet:

1. You’ll enjoy fresher ingredients.

If you’ve tried a tomato from your local farmers market in the summer and another from the grocery store in the dead of winter, you notice they taste completely different. Consuming food as close to harvest time as possible means you’re going to have the best-tasting produce possible for eating raw or adding to recipes.

2. You’ll get a nutrition boost.

You get the most nutritional bang for your buck when you eat seasonally. As produce ages, it loses some of its nutritional value. Things like vitamin C, folate and carotenes begin to fade quickly after fruits and vegetables are harvested. When you consider that eating out of season means transporting food from the place where it is in season to your local grocery store, it’s tough to know long ago your produce was actually harvested by the time it reaches your table.

3. You’ll support local agriculture.

Shifting gears to a seasonal eating lifestyle usually means purchasing your produce from local farmers and growers – which not only bolsters your local economy but also gives you a chance to reinvest in your community, learn how your food was grown and develop relationships with producers in your area.

See more: What is a CSA?

How to You Begin Eating Seasonally?

Eating seasonally may sound like a big overhaul to your way of life, but it doesn’t actually have to be complicated. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Learn what’s in season when.

The first step is learning what fruits, vegetables and herbs are in season in your area. Seasonal Food Guide is full of great resources to help you get started. Choose your state and month from their handy dropdown search and you can quickly see what’s available throughout the calendar year. You could even download their app to your phone to have a quick reference guide available next time you go grocery shopping.

We’ve also created handy seasonal produce calendars for all 50 states to help you identify the best times to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in your state. You can also check out our general What’s in Season? roundups for winter, spring, summer and fall (but note that these don’t apply to every state in the country.)

See more: Healthy Meal Prep Tips for the New Year

2. Create a seasonal food list.

If you already meal plan throughout the week, this step will be easier than you think. Set aside some time to jot down what is in season each month and brainstorm a few meals that incorporate the vegetables and fruits that will be readily available.

While seasonal eating doesn’t technically include preserving fresh food for later use, you could always challenge yourself to purchase and preserve your favorite seasonal items (think tomatoes for sauces and berries for jams) to enjoy later in the year.

See more: How to Can Tomatoes Using the Water Bath Method

3. Think outside the box.

Winter is admittedly one of the toughest times to eat seasonally, but don’t give up before you even begin. Planning ahead for what’s coming up by leaning how to cook, prepare or store your seasonal produce is one of the best decisions you can make.

For example, brassicas are hardy winter vegetables that include varieties like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Each one is delicious tossed with olive oil, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper and roasted in the oven until crispy. But you can also use a food processor to make broccoli rice, mash cauliflower for a lower calorie version of mashed potatoes, or shred and toss Brussels sprouts with a balsamic vinaigrette to enjoy alongside roasted chicken.

The best thing you can do is look up a few different ways to prepare your seasonal produce before you bring it home so you don’t run the risk of letting it go bad before you get a chance to put it on the plate.

For more cooking inspiration, browse our recipe collection by season for recipes to make in winter, spring, summer and fall.

4. Bonus: Grow your own food.

Growing your own food is far and away the easiest way to eat seasonally. Getting your hands dirty in the garden will teach you so much about what thrives in your growing zone and when it’s ready to harvest. Gardening also has a funny way of connecting us to our food on an emotional level. You’re more likely to eat healthy foods and actually enjoy them when you put the effort into growing them yourself.

And the best part? You don’t need a lot of space to get started. Read our How to Start Homesteading in a Small Space for a few tips.

Even if you want to take the smallest step towards contributing to your own seasonal eating challenge, you can grow herbs in a sunny windowsill, grow miniature tomatoes in pots on your porch or patio (like this Orange Hat variety), or use hanging planters to grow strawberries.

Keep in mind that even starting small is a great way to begin eating seasonally. Get to know your growing zone, peruse local farmers markets and produce stands, and try your hand at growing a few of your own fruits, vegetables and herbs and you’ll be well on your way to looking at food in a whole new light.