Fruits and vegetables are vital to a healthy and balanced diet. They offer antioxidants, minerals, flavonoids, and key nutrients our bodies love and need. The best time to enjoy produce is when it’s in season. When fruits and vegetables are purchased and consumed shortly after they have been harvested, they have more flavor and nutrition.
Spring is here and is bursting with ripe seasonal foods and flavors. Springtime offers warmer weather, longer days, fresh new life, and many great seasonal foods to enjoy! Here are some of the top spring seasonal foods you should include in your meals this season.
Artichokes
You can enjoy artichokes all year, but they are at their best during the peak season. They are high in nutrients and low in calories, making them the perfect vegetable to devour. Artichokes are rich in folic acid, vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins and are good for liver health and digestion. When selecting artichokes, look for tight, compact leaves and thick stems.
Broccoli Rabe
If you like broccoli, you’ll love broccoli rabe. With a similar nutritional profile as broccoli, broccoli rabe is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which help build immunity and good vision. It also aids in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, thus offering cancer-fighting properties. Broccoli rabe hits peak season in early spring, so be sure to brighten up your dishes with this all-star vegetable then.
Carrots
We’re all familiar with this classic vegetable, but you’re missing out if you haven’t tried in-season carrots. Those prepackaged baby carrots just aren’t the same. Spring carrots can be found in various colors, including orange, purple, and white, and provide a heavy dose of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins C and K, and potassium.
Strawberries
Another spring seasonal food you can enjoy all year, but that is at its peak during spring. Strawberries are full of antioxidants and plant compounds that offer heart health benefits. Without any sodium, cholesterol, or fat, strawberries make the perfect snack or dessert when you’re craving something a little sweet.
Lemons
Spring is perfect for lightening up meals after a cold winter, accompanied by hearty soups and recipes. And lemon is just the ingredient to do so with. With a high vitamin C content, lemons are great for cleansing and detoxing the body. In addition, they have been shown to help prevent kidney stones, reduce cancer risks, and improve digestive health.