The summer was full of family gatherings, picnics, barbeques, and impromptu visits to the local ice cream stand with your family. But now that the season has transitioned to autumn, it’s time to start thinking about healthy eating habits for fall to get your well-being back on track.
While many of us might hold out on dietary changes until January for our New Year’s resolutions, there’s nothing stopping you from getting started now. During fall, the kids are back in school and our standard routines are falling back into place, which makes it a prime time to work in new, healthy eating habits that will keep you nourished and satisfied without packing on unnecessary weight. Most importantly, some of the best superfoods have just been harvested.
If you’re looking for the best diet foods for fall, Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond and Clarion, IA is here to inform you. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the bounty of tasty, good-for-you, seasonal superfoods that are available to jumpstart your diet.
Fruits for a fantastic fall
Autumn is a great time to eat more fruit. Fruits are a sweet treat that can be worked into most meals, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time. They’re cholesterol free, and most fruits are low in fat, sodium, and calories and are packed with essential nutrients.
Some great superfruits to add to your diet include:
• Apples: One of the most popular foods associated with the fall season, apples are one of the first things you’ll want to grab from your local farmer’s market. With so many varieties available, you can select apples that are sweet or tart depending on your tastes and how you plan to eat them. Apples are full of antioxidants and provide four grams of important dietary fiber. Harvested from August to November, you’ll have ample opportunity to try them in salads, as part of a tasty pie, or even as a quick snack you can feel good about.
• Pears: As a sweet and juicy treat, pears make a great addition to pork dishes, salads, and even sandwiches. They’re a good source of vitamin C and copper and offer four grams of fiber per serving.
• Pomegranates: With a harvest season that runs from August until December, you’ll have plenty of time to try out this unique fruit. The tangy, slightly sour taste of a pomegranate is great for kicking up flavor in a number of dishes and contains more antioxidants than red wine. This fruit is a great source for vitamin C and folate and can even help reduce the size of fat cells or keep them from forming altogether.
• Kiwi: For a more tropical flare, try adding kiwi to fruit salads, marinades and sauces, or eat them alone as a quick snack. Kiwis are harvested from September to March and contain more vitamin C than an orange, making them a no-brainer to add to your list of fall diet foods.
Don’t forget your veggies
While vegetables aren’t always everyone’s favorite, they’re a vital part of a balanced diet. When you eat the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, you’re also lowering your risk for heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure.
This fall, try to include more vegetables in your diet, such as:
• Squash: Winter squash tends to be sweeter than summer varieties, and their thick skins allow you to store them for a long time. A great source of essential vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, squashes taste great as a side, in soups, and even in pasta dishes.
• Pumpkin: A type of winter squash that’s typically reserved for jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins are also a fantastic addition to your diet. This potassium-rich, versatile gourd is a great source of vitamin B and provides more than 20% of the daily recommended amount fiber.
• Sweet potato: More nutrient rich than standard white potatoes, sweet potatoes provide a number of anti-inflammatory benefits, are a tasty source of iron, and provide an excellent amount of vitamin A. Try them roasted for an easy, scrumptious dish.
• Brussels sprouts: For something a bit greener, try adding brussels sprouts to your diet. They’re a great source of folate, iron, and vitamin K, and when combined with tangy or savory sauces, you’ll have an excellent side dish loaded with health benefits.
Don’t forget to exercise
While diet is one of the most important aspects of your health, exercise ensures total bodily fitness and fosters better weight loss results. Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion and Belmond, IA is dedicated to helping people like you lead healthy lives all year-round. We recommend that you take some time to work in some autumn-friendly activities, such as indoor walking, swimming, or aerobics classes. Combined with the addition of great fall diet foods, you’ll be well on your way to a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Contact us to learn more.
Citations: https://www.health.com/food/15-best-superfoods-for-fall#fall-superfoods https://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruits-nutrients-health https://www.eatthis.com/best-fall-farmers-market-foods-for-weight-loss/
