Seasonality of food table. October seasonal products

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Who hasn't been in this situation? You buy luxurious-looking oranges (strawberries, avocados), you try them, but they taste completely impossible. Either the variety is not the same, or the country of origin, or not the season. The latter is especially important, says Natalia Fadeeva, Candidate of Medical Sciences, nutritionist-endocrinologist of the Center for Family Dietetics “MEDEP”. - All fruits and vegetables are best bought fully ripe and not stored for long. Such fruits are not only very tasty, they also contain the most vitamins. Whereas in the stored in the warehouse, the amount of useful substances decreases. And harmful ones can accumulate in greenhouse fruits and vegetables, since chemical stimulants are used in large quantities for the growth of such products.

However, today we have the opportunity to enjoy seasonal fruits grown in the open field all year round. Plant products are brought to Russia from almost all over the world, when crops are harvested on one continent, and beds are only sown on the other. You just need to know where and when the best fruits and vegetables come from. We asked about this Andrey Kolchevnikov, category manager of Azbuka Vkusa company.

Fruits and vegetables: when and what to buy

oranges.“Oranges brought from the Mediterranean countries, primarily from Spain, are considered the most delicious,” says Andrey Kolchevnikov. - Early varieties begin to ripen In November . The season is on until the end of April . With the onset of winter, red, so-called blood oranges, grown in Italy, with excellent taste, appear on the shelves. From February to July, fruits exported from Egypt and Turkey go on sale. But in terms of their consumer qualities, they are significantly inferior to European ones. So be sure to ask the seller where the goods come from. The Mediterranean ones are being replaced by South African and Peruvian ones - they are traded from July to the end of December . Such fruits are often picked green. They ripen already on the road, which does not affect the taste and nutritional properties in the best way.

Apples. The season of the most delicious and fresh begins in August . At this time, early varieties of fruits from local producers arrive on the shelves of our stores. Apple season in stores lasts on average until the end of February . « During the winter months The main suppliers of good quality fruit are the countries of the southern hemisphere, primarily New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, says Andrey Kolchevnikov. — It should be noted that with the advent of smart fresh technology, it became possible to preserve apples for a long time without losing their consumer qualities. Thus, these fruits can be considered multi-season .

Persimmon. Her season begins in October and ends late January - early February . At this time, it comes to us mainly from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as from Turkey and the Balkan countries. “Spanish is very good,” says Andrey Kolchevnikov. “Its fruits are large, bright orange, very sweet and do not knit at all, because they are plucked already ripe.”

Strawberry. Almost everything sold in Russia is imported. Even in spring and summer. “The fact is that the berries grown by domestic producers are completely unsuitable for long-term storage and transportation,” says Andrey Kolchevnikov. — Strawberry season starts in March-April . It was at this time that the berry began to be harvested in Spain, Greece, and Portugal. European strawberries can be found in stores up to until the end of October : as a rule, these are late varieties brought to us from Poland. February to April American strawberries are also sold, which are grown in California and Florida. It tastes great, but is not often found in our supermarkets.” In other months (almost all year round), there are berries from Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Egypt on the shelves. In taste, it is noticeably inferior to European.

Avocado.“The most delicious avocado is considered to be the Haas variety, and it doesn’t matter where it comes from,” says Andrey Kolchevnikov, “Its season lasts all year round, only countries change - Israel, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa. This variety is the best-selling in the world. But in our country, unfortunately, it is not represented much. erte". They are not bad, but as a rule, they arrive on our shelves very unripe."

Tomatoes. These vegetables are also multi-season. " In any season on the shelves of our supermarkets you can find Azerbaijani tomatoes, which are considered one of the best,” says Andrey Kolchevnikov. - A in March-April tomatoes from Italy are on sale, which are also very tasty. And roads! A more budget option is fruits exported from Turkey or Israel. They are for sale December to March .

Make a seasonal calendar and enjoy the most delicious berries, vegetables and fruits all year round!

Has it ever happened to you that you buy some kind of fruit or vegetable, and it is completely tasteless or, on the contrary, spoiled? The mood is bad, the body also did not receive vitamins, the money was spent. The thing is that out-of-season products very often appear on the shelves of our stores and markets.

Even when buying strawberries in the summer, the month plays a big role, because the one grown in greenhouses has a completely different taste and is more processed with chemicals. To please yourself and loved ones with tasty, ripe and healthy fruits, you need to know at what time to buy certain fruits and vegetables. The editors of "Super Chef!" will tell you about this today.

When is the best time to buy fruit?

Nowadays, there is a great opportunity to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits all year round. Plant products are brought to us from almost all over the world. However, you should know where vegetables and fruits come from in order to decide whether they are worth buying.

Strawberry
If you buy this juicy berry from gardeners in the market, then it is in the last days of May and throughout June that you should do this. In July, it is usually either overripe and rotten, or hothouse. Yes, and it is rather dry at this time.
Imported strawberries in supermarkets can be found throughout the year. In March-April, you can buy berries brought from Spain or Portugal, from February to April strawberries from the USA are sold, but you understand that they ship them still green, because transportation takes a long time. Almost all year round, there are strawberries from Egypt and Ethiopia on the shelves, but their taste is very different from the European one.

oranges
They don't even seem to disappear from the shelves. The most delicious are oranges brought from the Mediterranean countries, especially from Spain. Early varieties begin to ripen in November. The season lasts until mid-April. From February to July, fruits from Turkey and Egypt go on sale, but again, we note that their taste is not the same - they are not sweet and have a thick skin.
From July to the end of February, South African and Peruvian oranges are traded. They ripen on the road, in addition, the fruits are treated with special means so that they retain their elasticity and do not deteriorate for a long time, waiting for transportation. There are quite a few useful substances in them.

Apples
The season of the most delicious and healthy domestic apples begins in August and lasts until October. However, these fruits can be stored for a long time, so you can safely buy them until February. The rest of the year, fruits are shipped from New Zealand and Argentina. Apples taste good and have health benefits. These fruits can be safely called multi-season.

Persimmon
The benefits of persimmon for the body are undeniable. In addition, it is very tasty. Persimmon season starts in October and ends in early November. They bring it mainly from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Separately, it is worth noting the Spanish persimmon. It is usually picked ripe and quickly brought to market. However, it can be stored on the shelves for no more than a week - then it starts to deteriorate.


Avocado
If you see Haas on the counter, you can buy it without hesitation. Its season lasts all year round, only the supplier countries change. But we usually sell fruits of the "ardit" and "fuerte" varieties, which are sent still green. Therefore, after buying an avocado, it is advised to hold it for a couple of days on the windowsill, so that it is fully ripe.


Tomatoes
And in a salad, and in pizza, and in a sandwich ... Tomatoes can complement any dish. Domestic tomatoes are sold from the end of May to the beginning of October. At any time of the year, Azerbaijani tomatoes can be found on the shelves - they are of very good quality. In March-April, delicious fruits come from Italy, but they are quite expensive. A more budget option is tomatoes from Turkey. They can be found from December to March. Now they need to be washed well.


cucumbers
Domestic cucumbers are sold in the same period as tomatoes. The rest of the year they are imported. They do not pose a particular health risk. But pay attention to long cucumbers from China. They have a grassy taste rather than cucumber. There are a lot of nitrates in these cucumbers, so it is advisable to peel them, especially if a child will eat a dish with them.


We have given examples of the most common fruits and vegetables on our shelves. But always keep in mind the information about the time of year and the country of delivery. It is clear that such root crops as carrots or potatoes grow with us and you can buy them all year round, and they also tend to be stored for a long time. But watermelons and melons can be ripe and useful only in the second half of July and August.

IN SUMMER AND AUTUMN IN THE HIGH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SEASON, IT IS WORTH ENRICHING YOUR BODY WITH VITAMINS AND USEFUL SUBSTANCES. HOW IS IT CORRECT AND WITHOUT DAMAGE TO HEALTH TO BE FORTAMINIZED?

Are fruit and vegetable mono-diets healthy? Is the principle “the more the merrier” appropriate when using seasonal products? When and how is it best to eat them? Svetlana Fus, a nutritionist at the Science and Technology Center, answers these and other questions, and also offers simple rules for eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.

REQUIRED NORM

In order to saturate the body with essential vitamins and microelements, such as ascorbic and other organic acids, during the summer and autumn seasons, it is enough to eat an average of 400-500 g of vegetables and 350-400 g of fruits per day. At the same time, it is better to try all seasonal vegetables and fruits in turn, because each of them contains a different “set” of vitamins and microelements.

VEGETABLES + PROTEIN

It is important to supplement the summer fruit and vegetable menu with products containing protein. Vegetarians - dairy, eggs and necessarily dishes from cereals. Fans of meat and fish should not exclude them from their menu, but the share of vegetables and fruits should still be much larger.

BEWARE, SUGAR!

Do not forget that fruits contain a large amount of sugar (glucose) and organic acids, and if a person has problems with the digestive system (colitis, pancreatic diseases), then the consumption of sweet fruits must be strictly controlled. The sugar content of fruits can be determined by taste: for example, grapefruit is less sweet than oranges, and pomegranates contain significantly less glucose than bananas and grapes. Moreover, in the latter case, the difference in the content of sugar
ra is quite significant - about 10 g. Melon is also a very sweet product. But this does not mean that it should be excluded from the diet: just eat melon in the same way as other sweet fruits - in moderation.

HOW AND WHEN?

To get all the nutrients from vegetables or fruits, it is better to eat them in their natural form. Fruit juice, of course, is a healthy product, but it is essentially glucose in a concentrated form. The juice does not contain fiber, which is very important for cleansing our body.
Raw fruits and vegetables are best consumed in the morning - either on their own or as part of dishes, such as porridge.
Cooked vegetables are best eaten in the afternoon - the fiber contained in them, after heat treatment, is better absorbed by our body. So, bloating and other digestive problems at night do not threaten you.

SEPARATE OR TOGETHER?

It is not always necessary to be guided by the principles of separate nutrition. For example, sweet fruits can be added to cereals, less sweet fruits can be added to dairy and sour-milk products. Conduct this experiment: if you ate a certain fruit and after a few minutes your appetite woke up (acidity increases), then it is better to combine it with other products.

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE MONODIE, IT IS BETTER TO REJECT THIS IMMEDIATELY: IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOSE WEIGHT, BUT TO CAUSE HARM TO YOUR ORGANISM IS WHERE EASIER. AS A RULE, ANY "STRIGGER" DIET ENDS ... IN A FAILURE. AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DIET THAT ALLOWS ONLY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, BECAUSE THESE PRODUCTS DO NOT CONTAIN PROTEIN AND FAT. IT IS BETTER TO ARRANGE YOURSELF DAYS UNLOADING, DURING WHICH EAT SEASONAL PRODUCTS.

SEASONAL CALENDAR OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Why seasonal eating is a great solution and the foundation of a healthy diet?

There are several reasons for this, because seasonal products:

1. 1 healthier- most of these products come to us "straight from the garden", grown without hazardous fertilizers and not treated with chemicals;
2. 2 tastier- the natural and bright taste of fresh products cannot be compared with canned, pickled and other preparations rich in spices and salt;
3. 3 cheaper– there is no need for their long-term storage (heating, lighting, security) and they do not require additional efforts for production.

We have collected the main products for each month, and described the beneficial properties of each of them*.

January

Midwinter. Behind the New Year with its feasts and festivities. Our body is already a little tired, but we can’t relax, because ahead of Christmas and the Old New Year! The day has already begun to increase, although we do not particularly notice this yet.
In January, as well as throughout the winter, we seem to be in a state of hibernation. Of course, we continue to lead our usual way of life, go to work, go in for sports, etc. However, it is in winter that we experience a state of increased sleepiness, our activity drops, we become slower and we need more time to perform our usual activities.

February

Despite the fact that this is the last month on the winter list, warming is not to be expected. The frosts do not stop, and the snow does not even think of melting. old name " fierce” is the best way to describe the weather conditions of this month. Hard frost and violent whirlwinds rage in this difficult time for people.

But it is worth remembering the positive aspects. Firstly, February is the shortest month of the year, which means winter will officially end soon. Secondly, we gradually begin to feel that the day is getting longer, and this cannot but rejoice. However, all our strength and resources are running out. Now we need to start a second wind. And we will do this using the methods already known to us: healthy sleep, walks in the fresh air, morning exercises and, of course, a healthy and wholesome diet.

March

The only month of the year, with the onset of which not only nature awakens from sleep and winter cold, but also our hearts ... It smells of spring, snowdrops and tulips. It brings the first rays of the sun and a beautiful women's holiday. Once A.S. Pushkin called this month " morning of the year».

With the advent of March, many people begin to slowly get rid of voluminous winter clothes. And the result of such “freedom” is often a runny nose, cold and cough. Unfortunately, this is not surprising, since the body, suffering from a fair lack of vitamins, is no longer able to resist diseases. Therefore, helping yourself through a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition is our sacred duty.

April

The funniest and funniest month of the year! In addition, it is also considered the sunniest month, since it is during this period that the sun increases its activity, giving us a feeling of warmth and comfort. In Latin it means " warmable», « solar". And our ancestors called it " pollen for the flowers that the earth gives us with his arrival.

April is the second month of spring, so at this time of the year, nature almost completely wakes up from sleep. However, despite this, you need to be prepared for the cold, which may still return. Given this, as well as a fair amount of beriberi, which usually develops by this period, we need to reconsider our diet and try in every possible way to help our body protect itself from diseases, stress and spring depression.

May

The last month of spring, which is popularly called month of love and flowers. Moreover, it is called the greenest month of the year, since it is during this period that nature begins to come to life and delight us with its natural beauty.

However, despite the spring mood and the warm sunshine that the May weather often gives us, its changeability and instability still remain. It is in May that the air temperature can rise to 25 ºC or drop to 1-2 ºC. Such drops, as well as immunity weakened after winter, often lead to colds and deterioration of well-being. But even in this case, you should not despair. With a properly organized daily routine and diet, you can survive this difficult time with dignity and meet the summer with a smile!

June

The first month of summer, which brings with it not only the long-awaited sunshine, but also the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year.

In the old days, June was called " colorful», « light-star" and even " grain growing". In addition, people believed that warm June nights bring an abundance of fruits. And even the rains of June were valued above gold. It was in June that the time of long hayfields came in the villages, and workdays began in the fields. Moreover, June is a great time to boost immunity and improve the general condition of the body. Indeed, it is during this period that berries, fruits and vegetables begin to appear, rich in vitamins and nutrients, the lack of which we acutely experienced in winter.

July

This is perhaps one of the most unpredictable months of the year. Since ancient times, it was not in vain that the people called him " Stradnik"(for excessive heat and the scorching sun, under which it was necessary to work) and" Groznik(for severe, sudden thunderstorms).

However, it is in July that you can fully enjoy the grace of nature, bright summer colors and the alluring aroma of ripening fruits and berries.

Along with this, doctors say that just during this period, both adults and children most often suffer from intestinal infections. And it's all to blame - ignoring or even ignorance of the elementary rules for organizing your diet.

August

Depending on the region of residence and traditions, the Slavs called the third month of summer differently: serpen, stubble, stubble, generous, gatherer, goose-eater... The modern name "August" came to us from Byzantium, where, inheriting the traditions of Ancient Rome, the last month of summer was named after Octavian Augusta.

This month, do not forget about the principles of proper nutrition - diversity, balance and moderation. And also, you should follow the principles of "summer" nutrition - low calorie content; more vegetables, herbs and fruits; purity and freshness of products. It is very important during this period to maintain the body's water balance, because during the summer heat a person loses up to 2 liters of fluid per day.

September

Got its name from the Latin September(seven) because it was the seventh month of the old Roman calendar. The Slavs called him spring", in honor of the heather blooming during this period, or ruin(roar), because this month the autumn bad weather began, which “roared” outside the window.

In September, the Slavic New Year or Church New Year begins (September 14), that is, a new starting point for the church year and its holidays (the first of them is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). In autumn, we follow the principles of seasonal nutrition, which are commanded by the wise Chinese. Namely, when planning a diet in September, we take into account the peculiarities of this time of year and choose products traditional for our area.

October

This is the tenth month of the year, although it received its Latin name octo(eight) even before Caesar's calendar reform. The people associate with it many folk signs, beliefs and called it differently: dirty man, scumbag, wedding man.

Nutrition in October should solve two problems - depressed mood and autumn colds. Therefore, a properly balanced and organized diet will help us cope with these tasks, and will also help prevent many other diseases. It is very important with the onset of cold weather, when the appetite wakes up and the body stocks up with nutrients before winter, not to get carried away with high-calorie foods, giving preference to low-calorie dishes with a high level of nutrients.

November

The last month of autumn, like its predecessor, confused us in counting the months of the calendar year. According to the Gregorian calendar, it is the eleventh, but according to the old Roman calendar it is the ninth, which became the basis of its name (from the Latin November, that is, the ninth).. But our ancestors called it differently: Leafy, Leafy, Leafy, Freezing, Chest, Freeze, Zip of winter, Semi-winter, Wedding, Month of full pantries, Gates of winter. November will not pamper us much with warmth - after all, it often sweeps with snow, threatens with Mikhailovsky and Kazan frosts, fogs and rare thaws. This month is rich in church and secular holidays, and it also marks the beginning of the Nativity Fast. November is a wonderful occasion not only to think about a healthy diet, but also to switch to it.

The calendar summer is over and autumn has officially come into its own. It is a mistake to believe that only in summer there is an abundance of vegetables and fruits. September can rightly be called the most fruitful month. The choice of fruits on the shelves in shops and markets surprises with its variety, which can simply be confused. Watermelons, nectarines, melons, pears, apples, grapes, plums - my head is spinning! You should figure out what to choose and which vitamins fromfruits and vegetables in septemberreplenish the body before winter, thereby strengthening the immune system.

Apples

Juicy, sweet, sour, fragrant and all these are apples! They are rich in pectin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, as well as vitamins B, E, C, PP, these substances strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, and the lymphatic system. The number of varieties is surprising and everyone will find the perfect one for themselves. It seems that literally everything can be prepared from this seasonal fruit: jam, compote, preserves, desserts, and even add it to meat dishes. A bulk apple will be an excellent snack and in its pure form, it is not for nothing that it is a faithful companion of people on a diet.

Nectarines

It is in September that nectarines are juicy, soft, with a thin skin, and also the most beneficial for the body. The fruits grown under the hot sun have absorbed all the benefits and aroma. They contain A, C, pectin, organic acids, antioxidants, potassium, iron, magnesium, which have a beneficial effect on the quality of the skin, retain moisture in it, prevent wrinkles, and stabilize the nervous system. The high content of fiber improves digestion and speeds up metabolism. From the product you can make delicious jam or compote that will keep memories of a warm sunny summer, add it to various desserts and salads, or stew with meat, adding an exotic touch to it.

bell pepper

Not only fruits in September are beneficial. Red Bulgarian pepper improves mood by its very appearance, and the content of a large amount of vitamin C improves skin color, immunity and general condition of the body. Without a fiery-colored vegetable, it is difficult to imagine summer and autumn first courses, salads, snacks. Beta-carotene prevents the formation of cancer cells and will be a good prevention.

Mushrooms

In September, hiking in the forest becomes a real pleasure. Milk mushrooms, boletus, boletus, boletus, autumn mushrooms begin to appear in large numbers, which can be dried for the winter, pickled, frozen. They contain a large amount of vegetable protein, vitamins of groups B, A, E, PP. An appetizer of mushrooms picked with your own hands and personally pickled will be a good decoration for a festive and everyday table.

Cauliflower

A real storehouse of minerals, which contains a large amount of manganese, calcium, iron, fluorine, as well as vitamins A, K, E, H, group B. Cabbage is actively used in cooking for cooking first courses, salads, side dishes, snacks. Light unobtrusive taste of the product in combination with other ingredients is fully revealed.

Beet

It reveals its taste qualities in all its glory only in early autumn. Intense burgundy color and with a pleasant taste perfectly complements side dishes, salads and even desserts. Due to the regular use of the product, the elasticity of blood vessels, immunity, the functioning of the digestive system and the general condition of the body improve.

Having figured out which vegetables and fruits are most beneficial in September, you can start compiling a menu for the next month, based on seasonal products.