Eat More from the Ground Not a Box

Eat more from the Ground than a Box
By Brittany Kelley, Registered Dietitian 

Have you gotten out to go apple picking yet this fall? Or grabbed some mustard greens for that side of veggies at dinner? If not, you might be missing out on a huge abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that are peaking in season right now and not even know it! The change of seasons in New England allows us to enjoy various types of foods as they grow all throughout the year. Here in Massachusetts we have a large variety of different crops that grow naturally in the fall. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, pumpkins and apples are just a few of the fresh fruits and veggies in season now through the rest of October. As far as apples go McIntosh, Cortland, Macouns, Fuji, and Empire apples are still in season until the end of October. They all range in color, tartness and sweetness, and both Mcintosh and cortland go great in a fresh apple pie!

Consuming all types of fruits and vegetables allows us to avoid overly processed foods that manufacturers fill with artificial ingredients and flavors.  Notice how fruits and vegetables never have food labels on them?  That’s because there’s nothing to question. When you start eating food without labels, you don’t need to read through a long list of ingredients and you don’t need to count calories either.

Why does this matter to you? Fiber is a large component in mostly all fruits and vegetables, and we need it in our everyday lives to help regulate bowel movements, lower our cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugars, and help keep us fuller for longer periods of time. All of these factors contribute to a healthy weight. Today’s recommendations for fiber intake range from 25g per day for women, and 35g per day for men. So, if you’re looking for a way to meet this goal, getting a decent amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet is a great way to get there.