Curious about what’s in season this month? Keep reading to see what fruits, veggies, and herbs should make your grocery list!

WHY BUY IN SEASON?

As I continue to reintroduce new foods, I try to put an emphasis on eating what’s in season that month. Here are a few reasons why I like to eat this way!

YOU GET THE BEST QUALITY FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND HERBS --

When eating in season, you more often get produce from local growers.
Although most items are technically available year round, when buying off season, they need to be transported to your store. When eating in season, items are picked at peak season making them more ripe, juicy, and full of flavor compared to other times of the year.

COSTS CAN BE LOWER --

Produce is often much cheaper when you eat in season since those items are abundant, and therefore cost less. This avoids the added costs of paying for the import of off-season items, making it great for the environment as well.

YOU SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY --

When you purchase locally grown food, you help support local farms and farmland in your community.
The money you spend with local farmers stays in the community and can be reinvested into other local businesses.
When food is grown, processed, and distributed locally, it helps generate jobs and stimulates the local economy.

BETTER FOR YOU --

When you buy locally, you know where your food is coming from. You can ask the people who grew it how it was treated, the practices they use to harvest, and anything else you want to know!
Additionally, when foods are not in season, additional treatments are needed to grow quality items. Ripening agents, edible films, heat treatments, and gasses can also be used to help grow foods in their off seasons. You might think you're making healthy choices but these processes can increase your toxic load and decrease the nutritional value in those items.

WHAT’S IN SEASON?

VEGETABLES:

BOK CHOY

A member of the cruciferous vegetable family, bok choy (pak choi) is a powerhouse rich in vitamins C, A, and K and packed with calcium, magnesium, and iron.

BEETS

Beets are incredible at supporting the liver to aid in detoxification. They also reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and improve cognitive function. They’re a great source of fiber, potassium, iron, and Vitamin C.

CUCUMBERS

These pack a punch of hydration, are rich in B, D, and C vitamins, regulate blood pressure and are high in silica which helps promote silky hair. They are great for helping with constipation but if you have issues with digestion, make sure you peel the skin off!

KALE

So much love for cruciferous veggies this (and every!) month. Kale contains the compounds lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants that protect our eyes from free radicals, harmful UV rays and blue light.

ZUCCHINI

Did you know that only about 5% of the population meets the daily recommended dose of fiber?! A great way to bump up your fiber intake is by adding in zucchini! I love them sliced and roasted in some ghee with other veggies, or added into a fried rice.

FRUIT:

BLACKBERRIES

These juice nuggets are chock full of antioxidants and fiber! They also contain Vitamin C (good for your immune system), Vitamin K ( good for your bones), and magnesium (essential for over 300 actions in the body).

MANGO

Mangoes are one of the most nutrient-packed fruits out there - full of Vitamins A, C, K and nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, beta-carotene, folate, and more! They are a great option if you have histamine issues because they have antihistamine properties and help support mast cells.

MELON

Although all melons are “in” this time of year, I really only consume watermelon, and even then not a ton. Melons are naturally high in mold so I tend to avoid others like cantaloupe, honeydew etc. but they are good sources of K, potassium, copper, and fiber.

NECTARINES

I think nectarines are a super underrated fruit. They support iron absorption, boost weight loss, and enhance skin health. They are a prebiotic which means they support and feed your healthy gut bacteria.

RASPBERRIES

Another antioxidant packed berry, raspberries are low in sugar, full of vitamin C, K, and manganese. They help combat oxidative stress by fighting free radicals and, my favorite part, they are great sources of fiber!

HERBS:

BASIL

Ahh basil… my current favorite herb. Basil is full of compounds that can decrease anxiety and depression. It also contains the essential oils eugenol, linalool, and citronellol which help reduce inflammation in the body.

CILANTRO

A staple in many different cultures, cilantro is great at settling digestive issues, soothing skin problems, and ridding the body of heavy metals. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it’s detoxing benefits is by brewing leaves into a tea with a squeeze of lemon.

DILL

Dill is packed with vitamins A, C, and flavonoids and is often used to aid in digestive issues such as IBS, gas, and loss of appetite. In ayurveda, it is often recommended to help with menstrual and urinary tract issues.

MINT

One of my favorite herbs of all time, mint is great at relieving nausea, freshening breath, soothing sunburns, and aiding in digestion! Brewing some peppermint leaves in hot water and sipping before bed helps relax the body and prepare you for a good night’s rest.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It is known for greatly increasing blood flow, which stimulates hair growth, improves cognitive function, and fights bacteria and other pathogens.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY WHAT’S IN SEASON?

In addition to getting your fruit and veggies at your local stores (many often have tags next to local items) you can also check out farmer’s markets and CSAs in your area. My housemate and I subscribed to a CSA in college and we absolutely loved it. It can seem like a high cost up front but you typically end up spending less than you would on a weekly haul from a grocery store and you are supporting local farmers! Most CSA’s often have tiers as well so you can purchase an amount that fits your budget and quantity needs.

Here is a great resource to see what CSA’s are in your area. Here is a resource to see what Farmer’s Markets are in your area!

With so many delicious choices, it’s hard to pick a favorite... but I think I’m most excited for blackberries and zucchini. What are you most excited to eat this month?

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what’s in season: August