As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, our bodies have a different set of needs than that of the summer time. In the fall, we need to nourish our bodies and support our immune systems throughout the winter months. We can do this through eating warm and cooked foods using heartier ingredients.
Here are a few foods to incorporate into our diets this Fall:
- Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, yams, potatoes and turnips
- Ginger
- Adzuki beans (red beans)
- Onions
- Winter squashes (kabocha, pumpkin, butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
- Apples
- Grapes
- Pears
- Lemons and limes
- Chestnuts
- Walnuts
- Soy beans/tofu
- Broccoli
- Mushroom
- Honey
- Congee (Chinese rice porridge)
- Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, chili, black pepper, ginger
Pungent foods should be consumed during this time as their fragrance helps increase digestion, better blood circulation, and create warmth in the body.
Here’s what to avoid:
- Raw foods such as salads
- Cold foods and drinks such as sodas, iced beverages, and ice cream
- Watermelon
When we eat according to seasons, we prepare our bodies for the upcoming weather and temperature changes so that we can stay healthy year round!
Stay warm and healthy this transitional season.