Healthy Eating in Season: Fall Edition

Every new season offers a fresh chance to make better decisions. All the bad decisions you might have made in summer are in the past and you can focus on a new beginning. Now is a great time for you to redirect your attention to yourself and meeting some of your healthy aging goals. The more good decisions you make now, the better off you will be in the future.

So, let’s take a few minutes to talk about the best foods you can eat to meet your goals and stay healthy this fall. By eating in-season, you can focus on fresh foods that promote good health and taste delicious.

Top 5 Vegetables for Fall

The next time you take a trip to your local grocery store or farmer’s market, consider putting these top five fall vegetables on your shopping list. Cut them up in a salad, make a healthy stew in the slow cooker, or just eat them raw with dip.

Butternut Squash – Hitting peak ripeness in fall, squash is more than just beautiful table décor. Roast it in the oven with a little brown sugar and butter for a healthy in-season snack.

Cauliflower – This amazing vegetable has quickly become one of the most versatile and healthy options to use in place of carbs. Bake it in steaks, eat it raw or turn it into rice for a healthy side dish.

Mushrooms – Low in calories and high in protein, mushrooms make a great addition to steak, salad or to use in place of a burger bun.

Pumpkins – It’s not fall without pumpkins. Roast the seeds and enjoy as a healthy snack, make a pie or create a puree using your slow cooker.

Sweet Potatoes – These fall veggies are high in fiber, rich in vitamins and high in iron. Bake them in the oven and add a little butter and brown sugar for a fall treat that won’t break your diet.

Top 5 Fruits for Fall

The cool crisp fall air offers the ideal backdrop to get outside and enjoy the weather. Consider visiting a local orchard to pick in-season fruits, spend time with friends and get valuable exercise. Below are the top fall fruits to add to your diet.

1. Apples – You haven’t enjoyed fall until you’ve gone apple picking. Eat them raw, bake them with brown sugar for a sweet and healthy dessert or cut them up in salads to reap the many health benefits.
2. Cranberries – These amazing fruits are responsible for improving the immune system, fighting urinary tract infections and lowering blood pressure. Add this super fruit to your salad or buy some fresh cranberry juice.
3. Pears – Pears are a healthy and simple go-to snack option, but they also pair well with parsnips and ginger for a unique option that’s healthy, in-season and delicious.
4. Blackberries – This fall fruit is packed with vitamin C, high in fiber and can support brain health. These snack size berries are perfect in salads, jams and eaten raw.
5. Quinces – If you’ve never tried quinces, add them to your list for this fall. This fruit is similar to a pear and offers a variety of health benefits that make it a great choice this time of year.

Expand your horizons and try something new this season. One of the best things about the weather change is all the new possibilities it adds to your diet. Try to make healthy choices most of the time and feel free to indulge once in a while. After all, Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Jumpstart Your Retirement at St. Joseph of the Pines

Are you looking for a way to spend more time enjoying retirement and less time with home maintenance? St. Joseph of the Pines offers a variety of independent living options to cater to your specific retirement goals. You can explore new interests, make new friends and pursue a healthier lifestyle by eliminating the stress associated with owning a home. Plus, we offer a continuum of care that offers you peace of mind for whatever the future may hold. We encourage you to tour one of our North Carolina campuses to see if we might be a good fit for your future.