By: Ana Marija Pšeničnik |
Cooking according to seasons |
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Seasonal diets, apart from being tastier and richer in nutrients, are cheaper.
It is best to use food items produced by local manufacturers since such products are often fresher, especially fruits and vegetables.
Although we know that seasonal diets are the healthiest ones, we often forget that when it is time to eat.
The reason for that are modern diets and world’s food distribution system which makes all food items available throughout the entire year.
Therefore, shelves in food stores look exactly the same in July and in December.
Researches support seasonal diets
A study conducted in 1997 by England’s Ministry of Agriculture revealed significant differences in nutritive ingredients of pasteurized milk in summer and in winter.
Iodine values were higher in winter months; beta-carotene values were higher in summer months. Research showed that such differences in milk's content were caused mostly by changes in cows’ diet.
During the winter cows ate food conserved with salt and fresh plants during the summer, which made their milk nutritive different during those two seasons.
Similar results were obtained by Japanese scientists during their research on nutritive values of food.
Vitamin C content in spinach also differed depending on whether the spinach was cultivated in summer or in winter.
Seasonal diet guide
Around the world, even in different parts of a certain country, seasonal diets can vary due to climate condition differences.
Nevertheless, by following the basic principles we do well for our organism.
Spring
Season symbolized by nature’s awakening is the best season for food items that clean our organism and give new energy.
It is desirable to focus on light, leafy vegetables. You should definitely eat chard, spinach, various salads and use fresh basil and parsley as spices.
Summer
During summer months we recommend food that cools you. Such food items include fruits such as strawberries, apples, pears and plums and vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower and corn.
Good spices are mint and coriander.
Autumn
During autumn harvests we slowly start to heat up our organism.
That is the time for eating carrots and sweet potatoes. Onion and garlic are increasingly used in food preparation processes. We also recommend ginger, pepper and mustard.
Winter
The coldest season demands exclusively food items that will help us retain warmth longer.
You should have in mind that plants that need more time to grow give more warmth than plants that grow fast.
So, eat tuber vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic. Corn and various nut fruits can also be a good addition to your diet.
Kapha period – hibernations and awakening
First six months of the year, namely the period from January to June, is a season of kapha.
Indeed, if we take into the consideration that kapha principle includes properties of cold, dark and heavy and sticky, we can easily relate such features to winter. Furthermore, kapha’s moisture clearly represents rainy spring periods.
Apart from ginger that warms, it is good to use spices such as cumin, fennel, pepper, turmeric. During this season soups, stews and hot herbal teas should be given an advantage.
Spring is a good period for cleansing organism from toxins accumulated during the winter season.
Spring cleansing teas
Recipe 1
- ¼ of teaspoon of cumin
- ½ of teaspoon of coriander
- ½ of teaspoon of fennel
Recipe 2
- 2 to 3 thin slices of fresh ginger
- ¼ of teaspoon of cumin
- ¼ of teaspoon of fennel
- 2 grains of black pepper
- 2 mint leaves
Pitta period – cooling and restored balance
July, August and September are hot months, as fiery pitta.
This is a period when we benefit from cooling baths and cold beverages, especially fruit beverages. But we have to be careful not to drink anything icy-cold after meals.
Recommended summer food items include: pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers, chard, kale, Chinese cabbage, coriander, fennel, parsley, melons.
Food items not recommended for summer period are: tomatoes, spinach, onion, garlic, vinegar, sesame, mustard, all hot spices, bananas, pineapples and citrus fruits.
Vata period – established discipline
October, November and December have vata features. Autumn is the period when we strengthen our bodies and calm our minds.
During this period it is important to go to bed early, re-establish synchronized daily activities and consume nutritive and warm meals. A glass of almond milk is ideal for cold evenings.
By cooking in the natural rhythm of every season, you will achieve the best results for your health in a simple way.
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