3 Seasonal Foods To Try This November

Eating healthy during the holidays can be tough, but a varied diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is the foundation of optimum health. By incorporating all the colors of the rainbow onto your plate, you add a variety of sources of health-protective vitamins, phytonutrients, carotenoids, fiber and more to your diet and healthy lifestyle. The following fruits and vegetables are in season in November in North America – add these healthy holiday foods to your meals throughout this month for healthy holiday eating!

1. A traditional holiday side dish in North America, cranberries are more than just a tart and tasty meal accompaniment. A rich source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, they are packed with healthy antioxidants and are often used to help prevent urinary tract infections. Recent studies have also linked consumption of cranberries and cranberry juice with healthy cholesterol levels, improved gastrointestinal health, and the prevention of kidney stones – all good reasons to increase your intake no matter what the season. Cranberries are available dried, canned, as a juice or in concentrated supplement form, but fresh cranberries provide the most antioxidants and least sugar. It’s important to choose versions with little to no added sugar or other sweeteners, unfortunately you cannot think of the classic jellied form as a health food this season! Try the Apricots & Red Quinoa recipe, featuring cranberries!
2. Sweet Potatoes. A traditional Thanksgiving favorite, sweet potatoes are available year-round and should be a staple in any healthy kitchen. A universally appealing root vegetable, sweet potatoes are an excellent low glycemic source of vitamins A and C – natural antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Try the Sweet Potato Barrecipe!
3. Winter Squash. A delicious and versatile meal option for the colder months, winter squash comes in many varieties, all with a hard shell and mild tasting flesh. Some common varieties of winter squash include butternut, acorn, Hubbard and pumpkin. No matter what variety you choose, you will be getting plenty of healthful nutrients: winter squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and provides good amounts of potassium, dietary fiber and folate. Winter squash also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and has been associated with the prevention of a variety of diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, lung cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes-related health issues, and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and osteoarthritis. Use spaghetti squash to replace higher glycemic pastas, or make the Roasted Squash & Apple Soup

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