Fruits and vegetables are a pleasant treat at any time of day, any time of year. But did you know that eating them while they’re in season gives you the maximum health benefit? Eating fruits and vegetables in season not only tastes better but costs less because of the abundance available.
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find a decent mango during the winter? They usually have a weird taste, weird color, or too hard or too soft. The same goes for cucumbers. The skin is thick, and they tend to have an odd taste.
Spring fruit and vegetables are the best way to eat a healthy balanced diet and keep our bodies healthy. Here is a list of fruits and nuts that are in season in March.
Avocados
Avocados have high amounts of fatty acids that help with weight management. They are compared to pears because of their shape but instead have a creamy texture. Avocados are high in vitamins and minerals as well. They contain zinc, phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, calcium, iron, and manganese.
Let’s not forget they are loaded with vitamins C, B-12, D, K, E, and A. Avocados are low in cholesterol and can be used in smoothies to replace milk and add a creamy texture. It’s a great way to get in your daily nutrient requirement of fats. Depending on the store, you can get one for about $.75. So enjoy a serving of avocado.
Cherimoyas
Spring fruit number two is the cherimoya. They are high in niacin, iron, and fiber and contain cytotoxins that fight cancer. They are also high in Vitamin C, and B. Cherimoyas have a sweet taste similar to that of a pineapple or a banana.
They are usually found in health food stores and grocery stores like Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Moms. The great thing is that it provides 20 percent of the daily recommended nutrient amount.
Grapefruit
Grapefruits are versatile as they can be peeled like an orange or cut in half and eaten with a spoon. They can be consumed as juice as well. Grapefruits are known for high amounts of vitamin C. They have a sweet yet tangy and tart taste. They spice up fruit salads and even give water a nice fresh flavor.
Guavas
Guava is a sweet and satisfying fruit. Don’t be fooled by its sweetness. Guavas are loaded with many nutrients like dietary fiber, riboflavin, potassium, vitamin A, C, and B6. They are known to fight cancer, control diabetes, regulate blood pressure, and improve eyesight. So not only do you get to enjoy something clean and sweet, but you get the holistic benefits of enhancing your overall wellbeing.
Kumquats
Spring fruit number five is the kumquat. Kumquats are very similar to oranges in color and texture. They contain high amounts of Vitamin C that strengthen the immune system. Kumquats are also easy to eat because of their small size. They aid in strengthening the digestive system by eliminated constipation, gas, bloating, and cramping.
Lemons
Lemons are high in vitamins C, A, E, and B6. They also contain pantothenic acid, riboflavin, zinc, and potassium. Lemons have the power to reduce strokes and treat kidney stones. They are easy to consume. They are a personal favorite in adding flavor to meat and cool glasses of water.
Limes
Limes are used to treat gout and scurvy. Lime contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium. They are just as satisfying as lemons and make a great collaboration in water.
Mandarins
Spring fruit number eight are mandarins. Mandarins are smaller than oranges and easier to peel. They provide high amounts of dietary fiber, calcium, and antioxidants. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which aid in eye health and prevent further degeneration.
Oranges
Choose oranges to enhance your immune system and skin. Be aware of orange juice, though. Orange juice lacks the fiber of an orange because the white layer between the peeling is removed. Not to mention, a lot of brands add sugar to enhance the taste. Oranges contain vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Pomelos
Pomelos are a larger citrus fruit. One interesting fact is that it can take eight years before the seeds begin to develop into a fruit. Pomelos exceed the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. They also contain ascorbic acid, fiber, and potassium.
Strawberries
The next spring fruit is strawberries. Strawberries contain high amounts of vitamin C and manganese. They even contain a fair amount of folate and potassium. One of the best things about strawberries is that they are very rich in antioxidants that work to reverse the damage done by free radicals.
Pears
Pears are a succulent sweet fruit that is not only good for the heart, but the gut as well. Loaded with fiber, pears promote gut health and even aid in weight loss. Just be sure to eat the entire fruit as many of its nutrients are in the peel.
Bananas
The last spring fruit on the list is bananas. Bananas are loaded with potassium which promotes a regular heartbeat, and muscle and nerve function. Bananas can be peeled and eaten as well as frozen. Mashed frozen bananas are a great ice cream substitute and a great addition to fruit and vegetable smoothies.
Vegetables in Season This March
Asparagus
Asparagus is high in folate and vitamin K. They contain vitamin C, E, zinc, manganese, and selenium. It is also known as an anti-inflammatory vegetable.
Beets
Beets are high in nitrates that enhance circulation. They lower blood pressure. They also contain betaine, vitamin B, and folate. Beets increase stamina and endurance, which makes them an ideal vegetable for athletes.
Broccoli
Broccoli is very satisfying and can be eaten alone or with an entrée. Many enjoy it raw or steamed. It is high in vitamin C, A, folic acid, calcium, and fiber.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower has zero grams of fat, sodium, or sugar. So you can enjoy as much as you want. However, let’s not forget that it contains vitamin K, B6, folate, pantothenic acid, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage is a wonder vegetable. It is said to be the key to eternal youthfulness. They are high in phytonutrient antioxidants, vitamin C, and K.
Carrots
Carrots are easy to eat and can be used as a snack or in a stir fry. There are many benefits to carrots. They are high in vitamin A, C, K, and B8. Carrots also contain pantothenic acid, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese. They prevent heart diseases, lowers high blood pressure, and improve eyesight. The list goes on and on as they also improve oral health, enhance immunity, and reduce cancer risk.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are high in vitamin K, A, C, B2, B6, B3, B1, and E. They also contain calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, folate, and yes, protein. Collards are used to prevent cancer and detox the body. They are a go-to vegetable that can never be underrated.
Kale
Kale is another nutrient-dense vegetable. It’s loaded with vitamin A, K, C, B6, calcium, copper, and magnesium. Kale lowers cholesterol and the risk of developing heart disease. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin that help protect the eyes and lower further degeneration.
Onions
Onions are great for seasoning foods and are high in phytochemicals and vitamin C. They also contain chromium that regulates blood sugar. Onions regulate immunity and heal infections.
Now that you know which fruit and vegetables are in season for March, you can create healthy meals that include them and save money on your next grocery bill. If you need help creating recipes around these foods, feel free to check out my recipe book: Fight Back With Food: 40 Recipes That Will Help You Fight For Life. It is the book you need if you are looking to heal your body naturally with the right foods.
Fight Back With Food is break down healing into four healing. Each section contains 10 healthy recipes geared at healing the bones, brain, gut, and immune system. Each section lays out the health nutrient benefits for the foods used in the recipes. You will also find a mineral dictionary at the beginning that will help you find replacement sources for these nutrients, in the case you prefer a different ingredient.
You are what you eat, so let me show you how to heal your body naturally and enjoy your food at the same time. Click here to learn more about the Fight Back With Food: 40 Recipes That Will Help You Fight For Life recipe book.
Remember, Don’t play with your body as you only get one!
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