Dr. David Orman

Q: How can seasonal eating (choosing foods aligned with each season) influence energy levels, immunity, and mood throughout the year?

A: Nature moves in cycles. Spring blossoms, summer abundance, autumn harvest, and winter rest. Seasonal eating is the practice of aligning our diet with these natural rhythms, choosing foods that grow and ripen in each season. More than just a culinary tradition, it is a way of harmonizing our bodies with the environment, ensuring that we receive the nutrients and energies best suited for the time of year. Ancient medical systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have long emphasized this connection, recognizing that food is medicine most effective when consumed in season.

In spring, tender greens like spinach, dandelion, and asparagus help cleanse the body after winter’s heaviness. Their light, detoxifying properties awaken sluggish energy and prepare us for renewal. Summer brings hydration and cooling through fruits like watermelon, cucumbers, and berries, balancing the heat and supporting stamina. Autumn’s root vegetables and squashes provide grounding and nourishment, fortifying us as the days shorten and temperatures drop. Winter then calls for warming stews, hearty grains, and medicinal teas that preserve energy and strengthen resilience against the cold.

Beyond nourishment, seasonal eating influences mood and immunity. Fresh, local foods harvested at their peak contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These not only protect against seasonal illnesses but also help regulate circadian rhythms and neurotransmitters, stabilizing energy and emotional states. For example, summer’s bright fruits naturally uplift the spirit, while winter’s rich broths calm and restore. In this way, food is not just fuel but also an emotional and energetic ally, supporting us through the cycles of life.

Modern life often disconnects us from these rhythms, offering strawberries in January and pumpkins in June. Yet returning to seasonal eating is simple and powerful. Shop local farmer’s markets, observe nature’s cycles, and adjust meals to match the climate. Doing so reconnects us with the wisdom of the Earth, deepens our sense of balance, and creates a sustainable lifestyle that benefits both body and planet. Eating in season is not just nutrition. It is participation in the great rhythm of life.