Why Eating in Season Matters

Here’s a fact that may sound a little woo-woo (but it’s totally true): the human body is one with the earth. Without us even noticing, it senses the shift in temperature on a cellular level and activates our instinctual responses.

Like…

• craving a hearty stew while wrapped in a blanket in front of a warm fire during winter
• or dying for cool cubes of fresh watermelon after taking a dip in the pool in summer.

Our bodies inform our cravings and behavior because they want one thing: for us to survive. So it only makes sense to eat what’s in season around you – the earth is giving you exactly what your body needs to thrive.

The act of “eating in season” is especially important during seasonal transitions, when our bodies are making big adjustments to reach a healthy, happy state. Right now is actually one of the most significant transitions for us–shifting from cold to warm weather.

According to Ayurveda, just like warmer weather causes snow and ice to melt, a warmer internal environment causes the excess mucus and lubrication built up and stored over the winter to release as well. And just like melted snow causes lots of wetness, our bodies are in a particularly “damp” state at the beginning of spring.

Continuing to each rich, heavy foods like beef, breads, cheeses, sweets, and potatoes will only prolong this state, resulting in sluggishness, allergies , and stagnant winter weight. So, the key is eating foods that are bitter, astringent, alkalizing, and light.

You may immediately think it’s best to dive into a juice cleanse or raw veggie diet. Actually, our bodies actually need warming cooked foods, bitter greens and pungent flavors to help us detoxify and clean house.

Think:

• Sauteed dandelion greens with onions, garlic, and lentils.
• Room temperature water with a squeeze of lemon.
• Peppermint or ginger tea.

Eating what’s in season means you give your body the exact nutrients it needs to cleanse from the inside out. The results? You wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and clean. You digestion improves, your allergies dissipate, and your body feels light and buoyant.

Here’s a peek at the produce you should be getting more of this time of year to help your body out, and a sample Spring Detox Menu.

Sample Spring Detox Menu (Do this for 1-3 days).

We challenge you to shift your diet to seasonal eating for spring and would love to hear how it makes you feel in the comments below.