The harvest is here! Fall is a season to gather—to harvest the fruits and vegetables planted and cared for in the summer, to prepare for winter, and to enjoy the warm, cozy vibes of the season with the people you love.
So many incredible foods are in season during the fall, including some, like apples and pumpkins, that have become synonymous with the autumn itself. Luckily for us, those trips to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard have major health benefits as well as being so much fun. Ahead, learn more about the nutritional benefits of some of the most delicious fall foods.
Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
Don’t throw out all those “pumpkin guts” when you’re carving pumpkins this Halloween! Both the pumpkin itself and its seeds are packed with nutritious benefits. In fact, many consider pumpkin to be a superfood, it’s that good for you! Pumpkin itself is a great source of beta carotene and vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants.
When we say pumpkin, we don’t mean all those sweet pumpkin-flavored treats, sadly; while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a slice or two of pumpkin pie, you won’t get the same health benefits from a pumpkin spice latte as you would with some homemade pumpkin soup. Turn your pumpkin into puree and add it to yogurt, smoothies, even ice cream, or roast it for a warm, cozy mashed side dish.
Apples
A trip to the apple orchard is a treasured fall tradition for many families, so load up your bags with freshly picked apples and enjoy their health benefits all season long! Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants, especially if you eat them whole or unpeeled.
Apples can be eaten straight as a snack or sliced as a snack with peanut butter or cheese, but you can truly do so much with an apple. Turn them into applesauce; you can control the sugar levels, which makes it a healthier option than a store-bought applesauce. Bake them for a sweet, healthy dessert. Add them to salad, blend them into a smoothie, or
Beets
You know we love beets! The root vegetable is known for its bright magenta color and earthy flavor, which is delicious in salads and soups. If you don’t want to deal with all the prep work, our Organic Red Beet Soluble Crystals give you all the vitamins and minerals, including potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C, without all the mess. They can be added to drinks, smoothies, and baking, among so many other uses, and each jar contains the equivalent of 15 cups of beets!