If you live in Colorado, you know seasons change quickly around here—and by quickly we mean it can be a balmy 80 degrees on Monday with snow in the weekend forecast. Hello fall.
Also, there is a pandemic still going around, and kids are back in school. It's important to care for your body and boost your immunity during virus season—pandemic or otherwise. And one great way to do that is through food.
We love everything about fall cooking—the ease of the crockpot, the rich, nutty flavors, and the comfort of something warm filling our bellies. What we don’t love about the shift in seasons is the sickness that spreads as fast as the leaves fall and the hidden sugar packed into every pumpkin-flavored meal.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Fall is full of delicious, healthy fruits and vegetables that are bursting with vitamins and antioxidants to ward off disease. Squash, carrots, and potatoes are obvious favorites, but there are many more.
Here are just three fall superfoods you may not have considered adding to your diet. Check them out:
1. Cranberries
Often referred to as a superfood, cranberries are the first on the list of fall produce to improve your health. These ruby berries may be small, but they are packed with antioxidants, nutrients, and important vitamins including Vitamin C, E, K, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), as well as fiber, manganese, and copper.
Cranberries are also believed to reduce dental plaque and fight gum disease—make sure to load up before your next trip to the dentist!
How to Eat:Add fresh cranberries to a bowl of oatmeal; roast and pair with chicken or turkey; stuff inside baked acorn squash; mix into your favorite fall salad; toss with warm quinoa; bake into zucchini bread.
2. Pumpkins
Pumpkins are good for more than picking and carving—we promise! For starters, pumpkins are an excellent source of Vitamin A (a necessary nutrient to maintain vision) and Vitamin C. Studies also claim pumpkins help with weight loss, wrinkles, and refueling after a workout.
And if that’s not enough, pumpkin seeds are known to boost your mood and protect your heart. How’s all that to encourage a few visits to the pumpkin patch this fall?
How to Eat: Blend with yoghurt, honey, bananas, and nutty spices for a healthy smoothie; switch out marinara for a pumpkin pasta sauce; whip up some pumpkin pancakes; roast and add to your favorite autumn chili or soup; toss and toast pumpkin seeds with your favorite fall spices.
3. Brussels Sprouts
They look like bright green ping pong balls, but brussels sprouts are the ultimate superfood for every fridge this fall. To start, brussels sprouts become a complete protein when combined with a whole grain. They are also high in Vitamin A, K, C, B6, fiber, and calcium, making them a must eat for the vegetarian diet.
These little powerhouses are also known to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer. An added bonus, brussels sprouts are extremely filling and low in calories. Meet the perfect weight loss, nutrient dense vegetable.
How to Eat: Grill alongside your favorite protein; bake into a casserole full of your favorite fall vegetables; boil and toss with warm quinoa and olive oil; shave into an apple, pear, and goat cheese salad; peel and broil like you would kale chips for an alternative snack.
Stay warm this fall, but more importantly, stay healthy. Load up on these superfoods for a cozy and virus-free autumn—your body will thank you. And let us know your favorite fall superfoods and recipes by tagging us on Instagram or post to our Facebook page!
