4 Foods You Should Be Eating This Spring

by Allison Tallman on

It’s March, which means the first day of Spring is almost here! While we’re counting down the days until March 20th, we’re also thinking about all of the delicious foods and flavors that come with springtime.

Learn more about some of our favorite in-season foods for Spring, and how you can incorporate them into your diet in a healthy way.

Why eating in-season foods is beneficial

While you can certainty eat most food all season long, there are some added benefits ot eating food that is in season. Seasonal food is fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than foods consumed out of season. Think about eating a strawberry or another type of fruit over the summer: it usually tastes MUCH sweeter! The best time to purchase food is when they are harvested so that they can taste fresher. 

Not to say that non-in-season food is “bad.” Out of season food can certainly have a place in the diet, and sometimes can be a cost-effective way of eating! Eating canned or frozen foods, for example, is a great way to incorporate nourishing foods into your routine.

Pure Plates focuses on local ingredients and mostly organic when possible. Our produce comes from a local company that has created organic small farm co-ops. When in season it is local farmers but they have these coops throughout the country. We buy our meats from a distributor in Illinois that raises chicken, pork and beef free range and free from steroid, antibiotics and steroids. Our salmon and shrimp are wild caught. We source any of our grains, pastas, wraps, etc. from a specialty distributor that have contracts with small “gluten free” manufacturers of these goods. Additionally, we buy direct on some of the small and obscure items.

To learn more about where we source our ingredients from, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page here. 

What foods are in season in Spring

Some of our favorite in-season foods to include this Spring include the following:

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Asparagus
  • Avocados
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Pineapples
  • Turnips
  • Radishes
  • Limes

Foods In-Season in Missouri

From the help of a food guide “Seasonal Food Guide,” we can also learn what foods are specifically in-season and available in Missouri in late march. 

Foods that are in-season in Missouri in late-March include:

  • Asparagus
  • Chives
  • Morels
  • Purslane
  • Mushrooms
  • Sprouts
  • Spinach
  • Sorrel 

Ways to Incorporate In-Season Foods this Spring

There are plenty of ways to incorporate your favorite foods this Spring.

Asparagus: 

Asparagus comes in a variety of colors including green, purple, and white. It’s low in calories, and is filled with many vitamins and minerals. It’s also filled with antioxidants which have been shown to reduce inflammation and risk of disease. Some of our favorite ways to cook asparagus includes roasting, sautéing, or air frying it. Asparagus can be eaten as is, used in a grain bowl, or on top of a salad.

Spinach:

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is easy to prepare and is beneficial in many ways for your health. Spinach is packed with fiber, which keeps you full longer and can aid in weight loss. Spinach also has vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron in it. Spinach is versatile when it comes to eating it. Spinach can be used in a smoothie, sautéed in an egg or tofu scramble, or eaten in a salad. 

Pure Plates offers plenty of spinach-packed dishes year round! Some of our favorites include our Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken and the Turkey and Spinach Lasagna.

 

Sprouts: 

Sprouts are formed from the natural germination of spores or seeds. They are packed with vitamins and minerals and can improve digestion of carbs and proteins. They also have antioxidants and can therefore reduce risk of disease. Sprouts are super easy to add to any dish such as an omelet, soup, or sandwich. 

Mushrooms:

Mushrooms can add a savory flavor to meals while barely adding calories! Mushrooms are also filled with antioxidants, can prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol, and can protect our brain. Mushrooms can be used in many ways in your diet. Some of our favorites include stir frys, stews, or on a pizza. For some of our favorite veggie-friendly meals, check out our full veggie menu here. 

The bottom line

While most foods can be consumed all year round, in-season produce has been shown to provide higher nutritional value. In-season produce also tastes fresher. Pure Plates sources most of our ingredients locally to not only support local farmers, but also to provide you with the best nutrition. We work hard to provide in-season produce of all types in our healthy meal prepped meals. Those who eat our freshly prepared healthy meals can lose weight, lower risk of diseases, and feel more energized. 

To learn about some of our best-sellers and to start eating healthier yourself, check out our menu now.