Who came up with the idea to eat only what’s in season in your area? Where is the scientific evidence to support this idea? There are many articles on eating a seasonal diet. However, I have not found any information on who came up with this philosophy or any real scientific evidence to support this idea.

What is seasonal eating?

Seasonal eating is eating the food that grows naturally in your climate and for the current season. The belief is that as you eat what is growing in your area, you obtain the optimal nutritional benefits. The food will have higher levels of vitamins and minerals.

Eating seasonal will be different for each area of the country you live in. In the United States, the northern states do not grow citrus foods. The temperature in those areas will not sustain citrus fruit trees. Yet, one needs to eat citrus foods to prevent certain health problems such as scurvy.

By eating seasonal, you are supporting the environment. (Not sure I entirely agree with that.) What about the tropical areas where food can be grown year around? What about the desert where no food can be grown?

Your body doesn’t know what season it is other than how the outside temperature affects it.

Where’s the Proof in this thinking?

I find no studies or scientific papers to support this line of thinking. The articles I find are based on a belief.

I agree that growing your own food or buying locally is a good idea. Buying from your local farmers helps the local economy and when you purchase fresh produce, you have food that is higher in vitamins and minerals. But, is that really true? Has the local farmer added the right minerals to the fields to ensure that the plants will have the proper nutrients? Was artificial fertilizer used? What chemicals were used on the fields? See where I’m going with this? There are a lot of variables.

In my area, there’s a lot of produce that’s been trucked in from other areas. It happens more often than you think. Another consideration is when the fruit was picked from the vine. How long has it been setting before being taken to the local farmer’s market?

Back to the question; who came up with this?

I have not found any proof that this thinking has any scientific bases. The philosophy behind the idea of seasonal thinking is good to a point.

Let’s go back to where people live. If you live in a desert area, your food is going to be trucked in all year long. In the northern cold climates, are you only eating meat all winter? That is the only produce during the winter months.

It seems the only people who come out ahead are those who live in tropical climates. But, if you go back to the eating only seasonally, tropical climates are only one season.

Then there are the gardeners who can and freeze vegetables and fruits so they will have food when the growing season is over. Is their canning and freezing methods much different than the canned and frozen foods you buy in the grocery store?

Did you jump on the band wagon?

The internet overwhelms us with information. Most of which turns out to be opinion with no scientific bases. Consumers often take things at face value. We often don’t use our critical thinking skills.

I challenge you to think about a few things.

1. Where is the science behind eating seasonal foods only?
2. While fresh produce does lose nutritional value the longer it is off the vine and not consumed, it doesn’t mean that food trucked in has no nutritional benefits.
3. Canned and frozen foods do lose a little health value, but not enough to make them non-beneficial. They actually have more nutrients than fresh picked foods that have been sitting around in your home for a few days. Cooking and food preparation affects the vitamin and mineral levels.
4. We need a variety of foods to maintain a healthy body. The only way to receive this nutrition is by eating different foods.

So, in my humble opinion, eating in season only, has no merit. Eat the fruits and vegetables you enjoy when you want. Your taste buds will thank you.

And, DON’T believe everything you are told on nutrition. Do your own thinking and research. You’re much smarter than you give yourself credit for.