Seasonal Eating/Winter

Why Eat Seasonally?

Ayurveda is derived from observing the natural rhythms of nature; perfect health is gained by aligning with these ever-changing cycles of nature.

Nature provides the right food our body needs in each season. When we look at nature, we see three growing seasons and three harvests. These seasonal harvests that make up the annual cycles are Spring (March- June), Summer (July-October), and Winter (November-February).

In winter, our body needs a high protein/healthy fat diet, in spring a low-fat diet to rid the body of the excess protein and fat from winter, and in summer a high-carbohydrate diet for more abundant energy.

The fall harvest consists of grains, nuts, seeds, and root vegetables to build tissues of the body through the long winter months when our body needs extra bulk. In spring the earth yields leafy bitter greens, and sprouts low in fat, helping us to dissolve the excess bulk from winter and cleanse the liver with a low-fat diet. In summer when the days are longer our body needs more energy. The earth’s natural summer harvest is high in carbohydrates; fruits, and vegetables.

If we live in alignment with the natural rhythms of nature regarding our diet and lifestyle, seasonal living can promote health. Eating seasonally can change our gut microbiome, promoting digestive microbes that complement the body in each changing season.

The Winter season in Ayurveda is associated with the qualities of Vata Dosha, which are cold, dry, light, and airy. To keep our body in balance in the winter months we must focus on foods and activities that have the opposite qualities. Incorporating the qualities of warm, moist, heavy, and oily counteract the dry, cold, and light qualities of winter. Favor foods with the sweet, sour, and salty taste which ground and nourish, as opposed to bitter, astringent and pungent which are hot, light and drying in nature.

Always prepare your food with good warming spices and healthy oils. Avoid cold drinks, raw fruits and vegetables, smoothies, and dry foods like crackers, and chips. Favor root vegetables, and grains like Amaranth, Millet, Buckwheat, Brown Rice, and Oats. If you eat meat, winter is the best time to eat animal products.

Always think of warmth, moisture, and nourishment when it comes to winter seasonal eating.

Winter Warming Spice Blend:

To keep your digestive fire strong and healthy during the winter, try this winter-warming spice blend.

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 Tbsp coriander seeds

1 Tbsp cumin seeds

1 Tbsp mustard seeds

¼ tsp ground clove

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

¼ tsp hing powder

¼ tsp turmeric powder

Keep this in an airtight container in your kitchen to use when cooking grains, veggies, or beans.

Always sauté your spices in ghee for 30 seconds to release the healing properties of the spices before you add them to your veggies or grains.