Fall is Here!
Happy first day of fall! While it has been a little sad to watch the brightly colored, summer fruits and vegetables fade away from local stores and farmers markets, the cooler weather doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice flavor or health benefits. Fall provides so many delicious superfoods you can start adding to your shopping list today!
Fall Superfoods
- Pumpkins: Harvested in September and October, pumpkins are a nutritious fall favorite! Just one cup of cooked pumpkin includes 3 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, 49% of the reference daily intake (RDI) for Vitamin K, as well as number of other vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, potassium Vitamin E, copper, manganese, riboflavin, iron, folate, and Vitamin B6. In addition, pumpkin is also exceptionally high in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant.
- Pomegranates: While this fruit takes a little bit of work to enjoy, it is absolutely worth adding into your diet. Pomegranate seeds owe their superfood status to polyphenols, powerful antioxidants thought to offer heart health and anti-cancer benefits. In addition to antioxidants, pomegranates are a source of fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and potassium.
- Brussels Sprouts: Packed with 81% of the RDI of immunity-boosting Vitamin C, Brussels sproutsare among the most powerful cold-weather superfoods. They are not only low in calories, but also contain high levels of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and Folate. Their peak season in from September to mid-February, so be sure to grab some on your next shopping trip!
- Cranberries: This delicious berry hits its peak of color and flavor during from mid-September to mid-November and are considered a superfood for their high nutrient and antioxidant content. This berry has also been proven to reduce cardiovascular disease, slow cancer progression, manage UTIs and even enhance oral health.
- Sweet Potatoes: While you can generally find sweet potatoes year-round, peak season is during the fall and winter. They are a little higher in calories but are packed with nutrients and have many health benefits. Most notably, sweet potatoes are known for being one of the richest sources of Vitamin A. Just one sweet potatoes is enough to fulfill over 100% of your recommended daily intake. They also contain high amounts of Vitamin C, manganese, Vitamin B6 and potassium.
