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As soon as fall and winter come around, people get excited to sip on some hot chocolate and make warm soups in their homes. Celebrity chef Serena Poon looks forward to the weather shift, as she loves “fall foods” — and the many benefits they bring.
“Every year when the temperatures begin to cool, I start to shift both my personal and client menus to match the season. This includes focusing on seasonal vegetables, such as squash, apples, and root vegetables, eating warmer and heartier dishes, and eating a fair amount of healthy fats. These foods support your body and skin through the change in environment marked by colder and more brittle weather,” the certified nutritionist exclusively tells Morning Honey. “This is a wonderful time of year to incorporate soups, stews, warm vegetable bowls, grounding foods, and roasted vegetables into your repertoire.”
One of the gains of these fall plates — think roasted root vegetables — is that they are healthy and good for you. “These foods are grounding, comforting and brimming with nutrients and antioxidants. They are also really simple to prepare,” she explains. “There is no shortage of flavors you can create with roasted vegetables, they taste absolutely delicious when topped with herbs and spices and can be added as a base to nourishing soups, stews and grain bowls.”
The Founder of Just Add Water®️ & Culinary Alchemy®️ focuses on certain vegetables that will have your face glowing in no time!
“Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a natural retinol alternative that helps stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover, and smooth the skin. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage,” she notes, while “pumpkins are packed with vitamin C, which is an important nutrient for collagen production and protection from UV damage.”
“Beets get their bright red color from betalain, an incredible antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits,” she continues. “Like carrots, sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, a natural retinol alternative. It’s also rich in pantothenic acid, which nourishes the skin. Apples contain quercetin, a potent antioxidant that protects against UV radiation and histamine, it can also reduce redness and inflammation. Keep the peel on to reap the most benefits.”
Poon also enjoys buying flaxseed oil, Brussels sprouts and warm teas.
“Not only does eating with the season help you to feel enlivened on a holistic level, it also delivers new opportunities to eat more phytonutrients and antioxidants. Seasonal plant foods are full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that lend themselves to vibrant health inside and out,” she explains.
Going forward, the Reiki Master advises others to focus on your body in the warmer months vs. the cooler months.
“In spring and summer you might need lighter and more hydrating foods to counterbalance the heat. While there are general guidelines around healthy eating by season, it is always important to eat what’s right for your body,” she shares. “Take notice of how your body reacts to the change in seasons. Does your skin feel dry in the fall? Do you feel more anxious or lethargic during this season? You can create a journal that describes how you feel as the seasons transition and also when you eat certain seasonal foods. Share these notes with your nutritionist and create a seasonal eating plan that supports vitality in your body.”
