Autumn brings with it a beautiful shift from hot weather to cooler nights and shorter days. Longer evenings allow us the perfect opportunity to spend some extra time in the kitchen, and to experiment with a variety of fall superfoods! This season we’re all about nourishing ourselves from the inside out. New Year’s Eve is only a handful of weeks away, so why not start your resolutions to eat healthy a little bit early?
The bright orange color is an automatic giveaway that this fruit is rich in beta carotene. Beta carotene is antioxidant that once ingested, is converted into vitamin A and can help protect our cells against damage and even cancer.
Enjoy this vibrant superfood canned, pureed, roasted, steamed, in smoothies or in deserts. It’s natural sweetness adds a beautiful element to savory and sweet recipes.
Jenna Werner, Registered dietitian was interviewed for Shape.com and she says pumpkin is amazing for digestion as well.
“Pumpkins are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and promotes healthy digestion.
It also slows absorption of the carbohydrates, including natural sugars, so you don’t experience the blood sugar highs and lows of, say, a handful of gummy bears.” says Werner.
Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t leave the table until you ate all of your brussel sprouts? So you ended up pretending to eat them and fed them to the dog instead?! Our adult, farmer’s-market-loving, health conscious selves shudder at the memory.
Brussel sprouts taste delicious, especially when sautéed or roasted with some coconut oil and garlic. They are an excellent source of fiber and are rich in antioxidants. The most interesting fact about these superfoods is their ability to act as natural detoxifiers for our bodies by deactivating potentially harmful chemicals we naturally ingest through our food or skin everyday.
More than 80 percent of all Americans do not eat enough fiber. Winter squash, much like its cousin the pumpkin, provide a ton of fiber. Also, one cup of cooked squash is less than 80 calories so you can enjoy a second helping on Thanksgiving without feeling guilty.
Both butternut squash, spaghetti squash and acorn squash are all readily available in supermarkets and famers markets this time of year. We love swapping spaghetti squash for carb-heavy pasta. Once you start cooking with squash you’ll realize how versatile and delicious it truly is.
Apples are an iconic fall staple in many recipes and this superfood is even more delicious than usual this time of year.
Especially when picked straight from an apple orchard. Can we say Instagramable-moment anyone?
Apples are loaded with immune boosting Vitamin C to help protect against the cold and flu. This crunchy fruit can be enjoyed raw as is, dipped in a natural nut butter or even chopped into salads and smoothies. Our absolute favorite way to enjoy this superfood is in a healthy version of an apple crisp. (Recipe Below!)
These bright red berries not only spruce up your salads and festive fall dishes but also serve to benefit your overall gut health and immunity. These low-calorie superfoods are high in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
Cranberries also serve to protect us from urinary tract infections by decreasing the ability of the bacteria to stick to our urinary tract walls.
Click below for links to 3 recipes for tasty, healthy dishes: