by Anastasia Fermin, Sunshima blog writer
Gone are the days of summer barbecues and ice cream sundaes. As the colder weather approaches, soups, stews and freshly baked treats are the comfort foods of choice. With the global Covid 19 pandemic still ongoing, it is vital to keep up healthy eating to protect yourself and boost your body’s defences. So, what’s on the menu for the autumn season?
Try seasonal foods
During the autumn months the following fruits and vegetables are readily available and in season.
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Figs
- Pears
- Plums
- Beetroot
- Butternut squash
- Pumpkin
- Shallots
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
Foods in season tend to be fresh, affordable, and easy to find in the market or supermarket. Therefore, instead of buying fast food you can buy fresh ingredients to cook your meals at home. You can create many delicious recipes using healthy ingredients and organic foods.
Reasons to cook at home
Even if you are not a great chef, there is no better time than the present to improve your skills. Cooking meals at home saves time, money and is safer. With lockdown and restrictions still being implemented many restaurants and cafes are operating at reduced capacities, if at all. If you have a family at home, cooking together is a wonderful bonding experience. Bake pies and cookies with your kids or team up with your partner to create hearty and healthy dinners and have a fun experience.
Meal Ideas
If you aren’t used to home cooked meals, here is a simple guide for autumn meals. Autumn meals tend to be more wholesome foods that make you feel warm and cosy from the inside out.
Start your day with something warm. Make a bowl of porridge or oatmeal with soy or almond milk. Add fruits of your choice, nuts or seeds, a dash of cinnamon and enjoy. It is simple, quick, and full of nutrients.
At lunch, opt for fresh green vegetables such as kale or spinach. Carrots, tomatoes, and other vegetables are also great options to go with meat and rice or quinoa.
The ideal way to end your day is with a bowl (or 2) of hot soup, a meat stew or a creamy and decadent risotto. Salmon or another omega packed fish are also delicious and healthy ingredients to nourish your body after a long day.
Dessert? Yes, please
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat after dinner? Instead of consuming snacks that are high in processed sugar, try a homemade dessert as an alternative. Use the abundance of apples and berries in season to create tasty pies, crumbles, and cakes.
Remember to stay active
With so many delicious foods around, don’t forget to maintain an exercise routine. Keep off the extra autumn and winter pounds by walking, working out at home and paying attention to how much you eat.
Despite the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, you can still find ways to enjoy all that the autumn season has to offer. There may be no public gatherings and festivals, but you can create your own experience in the comfort and safety of your own home.