Autumn produce officially comes into season during the autumnal equinox, but any time after Labor Day is a good time to start looking out for timely fruits and vegetables. Eating seasonally allows us to benefit from all of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that peak in particular produce. Here is a list of fruits and vegetables (and their unique nutritional benefits) to start enjoying now, and throughout the Autumn Season.
FRUITS:
APPLES: Enjoy a healthy dose of potassium, fiber, and even a little protein!
ASIAN PEARS: An excellent source of potassium, vitamin c, and vitamin k.
BELL PEPPERS: A wonderful source of vitamin k and folate.
CRANBERRIES: A delicious way to improve your immune function and lower your blood pressure.
PEARS: A healthy dose of copper, folate, and vitamin c.
GRAPES: A great way to get thiamine, vitamin c, and vitamin k.
FIGS: A delicious dose of magnesium and potassium
PERSIMMONS: Packed with vitamin a, vitamin c, and vitamin e.
DATES: A delicious source of vitamin B6, iron, phosphorous, calcium and potassium
PUMPKIN: Packed with beta carotene and vitamin c.
PINEAPPLE: Packed with vitamin c, iron, calcium and magnesium
BUTTERNUT SQUASH: Flavorful and full of vitamin c, vitamin B6, magnesium and calcium
ACORN SQUASH: A great source of fiber, pro-vitamin a, thiamine, and pyridoxine
VEGETABLES:
COLLARD GREENS: Packed with potassium vitamin c and calcium.
ENDIVE: Full of vitamin k and antioxidants.
FENNEL: A great source of potassium and vitamin c.
PARSNIPS: Full of fiber, potassium and magnesium
SWEET POTATOES: Packed with potassium, fiber and beta-carotene
RADISH: A good source of vitamin c
TURNIPS: Full of potassium, vitamin c, and sodium
PEAS: Packed with protein, vitamin c, vitamin B6, magnesium and iron
GREEN BEANS: Full of vitamin a, folate, vitamin k, potassium and phosphorus
BEETS: A great source of fiber, folate, manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin c.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Packed with potassium and vitamin c.
BROCCOLI: A great green source of protein, fiber and even a little sugar.
CABBAGE: A delicious lightweight source of vitamin c.
CAULIFLOWER: Packed with potassium, vitamin c, vitamin B6, sodium and fiber.
Enjoy any of these fruits and vegetables alone, or mixed together to increase and diversify your nutritional intake. Be curious, and experiment with different combinations. Here’s to living deliciously in every season!