Eating foods that are “in season” has many benefits. It’s healthier for you, more flavorful and fun. Here are five reasons why you should start eating seasonally:

It’s More Nutritious

Seasonally fresh produce picked when fully developed and at the peak of the season contains higher nutrients.

It’s Better for the Environment

When obtained locally, produce is less likely to be subjected to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. These compounds deplete the soil, contaminate the water, and cause health issues.

It Supports Local Farmers

Local produce equals less transportation, less forced ripening, less refrigeration, and few chemicals.

It Tastes Better

When produce is shipped globally, and out of season, farmers must use post-harvest treatments to control ripening, spoilage, and quality, affecting the crop’s taste.

It’s More Affordable

It’s all about supply and demand. When a crop is abundant, the cost will be lower.

The Bottom Line

Eating with the season is a great way to improve your health, help the environment, and enjoy delicious food all at the same time!

If you're having trouble with your digestion, you're not alone. It can be a tricky problem to fix, but there are plenty of ways to get help. Here are some tips to get started:

Exercise

Exercise builds muscle tone, and muscle tone helps move food through the digestive tract. Aim for 20 minutes a day, and any movement will help.

Don't overeat

Overeating can be taxing on your digestive system and affect the rate of digestion. We tend to eat until full when we should eat until satisfied.

Reduce or eliminate processed foods

Processed foods are challenging to digest, and your body needs to supply more nutrients to metabolize processed food, robbing itself of those required nutrients.

Chew your food

Digestion starts in the mount, and saliva contains many enzymes to break down food. Try to chew 20-30 times per bite.

Boost stomach acid

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice or fermented apple cider vinegar to water each morning to give your stomach a boost for digestion.

Eat more fibre

It makes your stool soft and bulky and speeds transit time through the colon.

Drink water

Water is my answer to almost everything! Your stomach needs water for digestion. Lack of water can result in ulcers, indigestion, heartburn, fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, and constipation.

Probiotics

Good bacteria strengthens your immune system, reduces inflammation, and helps with leaky gut. You can get it in supplement form, but make sure you store it properly. Some probiotics need to be refrigerated! You can also find in food like yogurt, Kefir, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, dark chocolate, Kimchi, tempeh, pickles, raw cheese, miso

Digestive Enzymes

You need three enzymes to break down food properly:

1. Lipase for fat

2. Amylase for carbohydrates

3. Protease for protein

Without sufficient digestive enzymes, the body cannot digest food particles properly, which may lead to food intolerances. Digestive enzymes can be obtained from supplements or naturally through foods. Foods that contain natural digestive enzymes include pineapples, papayas, mangoes, honey, bananas, avocados, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kiwi and ginger.

As you settle into the new year, it’s not too late to make a few minor changes in your diet and lifestyle to help reset your health. A health reset will help you develop healthy habits, kick out bad habits, sleep better, gain energy, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and feel your best.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it’s time for a health reset.

• Have I gained a few extra pounds that I can’t seem to lose?

• Do I get bloated after eating?

• Do I feel sluggish and tired during the day?

• Am I addicted to unhealthy foods?

• Do I have cravings for sugary or starchy foods?

• Do I have difficulty focusing or experience a foggy brain?

If it’s time for a reset, here are a few tips to help you get started.