How To Take Advantage Of Seasonal Fruits, (Includes Recipes)

Fruits are nutrient-rich foods that are good for our health. Find out which fruits are in season and how to use them in your meals to share at end-of-year gatherings.

This is a time of joy and reflection when we take advantage of the opportunity to meet with our loved ones and, at every party, posada, and get-together, we are sure to find food to share and have a good time because let us remember that food unites us.

But even if we find food in abundance, we must learn to consume it in moderation and in the healthiest way possible, because through nutrients we give our body what it needs to function optimally. So, as hosts, let’s make sure our table is balanced and with healthy recipes.

Make sure your meals are balanced and healthy. (Photo Prensa Libre: Shutterstock)

One food that cannot be missed is fruit, which is very nutritious, says Susana de Cabrera, nutritionist. “When we eat them, we are nourished with four of the seven nutrients that food should provide: vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber,” she explains. The other three are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which we can obtain from other foods such as meat, vegetables, and other sources of nutrients.

The benefits of fruits

If we neglect our diet, we could gain weight and, consequently, develop non-communicable diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), incorporating fruit into our daily diet can reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease and some types of cancer.

De Cabrera adds that this is because fruits have a significant amount of fiber, which “helps mobilize the intestines, prevents constipation, and cleanses the digestive tract of impurities that could cause cancer.” In addition, the WHO indicates that “it is estimated that in 2017, 3.9 million deaths were due to inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables.”

Ways to eat fruits

The nutritionist highlights seasonal fruits, which are usually part of our dishes at the end of the year, such as apples, raisins, and loquats, which she suggests should be eaten raw. She also adds that “chamomile is eaten with jam or in syrup because when eaten raw it is very tasteless.”

For the expert, the best way to consume fruit is raw and with the peel, as it preserves the total content of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. “If you peel it, you remove a good percentage of these nutrients,” she adds. But, during this time of year, there are plenty of fruit recipes and we can healthily cook them, favoring our health.

Here are some ways you could include fruit plates on your table: