The Practical Nutritionist, LLC

Audrey J Pellegrino, M. Ed, M. HN

Holistic Nutritionist/Educator

603-768-3214

practicalnutrition@gmail.com

www.pnutritionist.com

WHY DOES LOCAL FOOD TASTE SO GOOD?

I cater meals and events during the summer and I am often asked why everything is so flavorful? There are many reasons for this, but the major reason is that I frequently prepare local and fresh foods. There are chemical and biological reasons why local corn and other foods taste so good when eaten in season and do not taste anything similar out of season.

When foods are eaten locally they are picked at the moment of peak ripeness. The vitamins and minerals have had time to mature. This means that the food is nutrient rich and benefits your health. Also, when the food is picked at ripeness, the flavors are full and the foods are easily digested because the enzymes have also had a chance to develop.

Living in New Hampshire we cannot get local food when it is out of season. Berries, leafy vegetables, summer squashes and tomatoes are summer foods. In the autumn we have apples and tree fruits, pumpkins, winter squashes, carrots and other root vegetables. In the winter we eat the stored root vegetables and squashes. Just when we begin to despair, in the spring asparagus and peas appear.

However, when we walk into the grocery store we have a plethora of fresh foods to choose from. The foods are picked early to transport them thousands of miles to us, during the dead of winter. They have not had the time to naturally develop their flavors, vitamins, minerals or enzymes. The vibrant colors are often a result of dyes added to the skins or gasses which force the maturation of the foods. For optimum health when we cannot eat local, in season foods we should choose flash frozen (which are picked at ripeness) or organic (which are not treated with gasses or dyes).

I get such pleasure from growing my own fruits and vegetables, and picking a handful of beans or berries from the vine or bush is a daily summer treat. If you are not able to grow your own fruits or vegetables, this summer go to a local farm stand or the local section of the grocery store and enjoy the nutrient rich, delicious vegetables and fruits that await you there. Take advantage of them while you can, the growing season comes to an end quickly in New Hampshire.