As summer moves into the depths of autumn, it brings with it a whole host of fantastic new vegetables for the season, which, not only pave the way for delicious soups, snacks and suppers, but also offer the chance to give our body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and ward off evil flu-type bugs.
There are plenty of benefits to eating fruit and vegetables when they are in season in the UK which means it’s not only a great opportunity to give vital support to our agriculture industry and British farmers.
Eating foods which are produced in the correct season, means they come packed with the kind of nutrients that our body needs at the time.
It’s one of nature’s ways of ensuring humans get the support they need – prior to the days when everything was readily available at the supermarket. And let’s face it – food which has been produced locally, at the right time of year, arguably always tastes better! Jersey royal potatoes and strawberries are a perfect example – delicious when in the right season.
All the light salad vegetables are in abundance over the summer months, while, when the weather starts to turn, it brings with it the heartier root vegetables, which are perfect for warming winter food.
In addition, when winter bugs are flying about, we see that foods which are rich in vitamin C come more into season, such as kale and spinach, butternut squash, apples, tomatoes, potatoes and brussels sprouts. Again, nature’s way of boosting our systems to ensure we have the best possible chances of survival over the colder months.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables for autumn
So, why not consider buying fresh local produce that’s in season this autumn and make the most out of the wonderful autumn dishes there are to create?
Here is a list of fruit and vegetables which are in season for the UK, and some idea of all the amazing nutrients they have to offer, so you can treat your body to the stuff that it needs at the exact time it needs it:
Autumn Fruit
- Apples – high in vitamin C, cancer fighting antioxidants and fibre, there’s a reason why the saying goes ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’.
- Blackberries – packed with antioxidants, nutrients such as magnesium and calcium, as well as being high in fibre and an excellent source of vitamin K and C.
- Damsons – contain high levels of minerals, such as potassium and magnesium.
- Pears – excellent source of fibre, copper, vitamins C&K.
- Plums – low calorie superfood that won’t send your sugar levels through the roof, also a good source of vitamin C and fibre.
- Sloes – who can resist the temptation of making sloe gin in the autumn? They’re also a great vit C source too.
Autumn Vegetables
- Carrots – excellent source of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body as well as vitamins K and B6.
- Kale – a low calorie powerhouse of a superfood, kale is one of the most nutrient packed foods there is, offering high percentages of daily vitamin intake and full of fibre.
- Kalettes® – an award winning mix of kale and brussels sprouts, Just 100g of Kalettes® contain double the amount of vitamin B6 and twice the amount of vitamin C than standard Brussels sprouts in addition to a double dose of vitamin E and a powerful disease fighting antioxidants.
- Leeks – great source of vitamin A, C and K, nutrients such as iron and magnesium, and a very good source of fibre too.
- Marrows – another vegetable rich in nutrients and vitamin C.
- Pumpkins – a great mix of fibre, potassium and vitamin C, which make them an excellent food to help support a healthy heart.