As the world has officially transitioned into the spring season, it is time to carefully review our dietary habits. In every season, one must opt for seasonal produce so that they provide their bodies with the optimum amount of nutrition and boost immunity to reduce risks of diseases. Slurrp spoke to Pune-based functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and founder at iThrive, to bring you a list of fruits that are must-haves in the spring season.
Mugdha Pradhan said, “When you eat what is growing naturally without any artificial intervention as per your latitude and longitude, it works better.” One needs to avoid pesticides and other chemical fertilisers used by the farmers to grow off-season produce. “Plant antinutrients and defence chemicals are another thing you need to be mindful of, especially if you’re already suffering from health conditions,” the nutritionist added.
Here is a list of fruits that will help you improve your overall well-being and keep seasonal allergies at bay.
Mango
Soon you will witness mangoes in the fruit market. Loaded with vitamin A and fibre, it is good for your gut health. While mangoes might not be appropriate to eat because of the sour taste, you can still use raw mangoes to make a variety of dishes like pickles, chutney, or spreads.
Watermelon
In some parts of India, watermelon would soon hit the fruit markets. It has a high amount of water content which is essential to ensure that your body is not dehydrated. The nutritionist said that it is packed with antioxidants like lycopene that are known to reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Strawberry
Spring season means eating juicy strawberries. Rich in flavour and vibrant colours, strawberries load the body with vitamin C and antioxidants. It not only boosts the immune system but also supports the health of the skin. They have high fibre content and low amounts of sugar.
Lychee
In many regions of South India, lychee matures in December and January, and you might be able to spot them in the farmer’s market. The juicy fruits have vitamin C in abundance. If they are not sweet, you can still use them in dessert recipes and extract their benefits for your health.
Jackfruit
Though a fruit, most people make savoury dishes using jackfruit. It is an excellent replacement for meat for vegans and vegetarians. However, some traditional recipes of halwa and ladoo use jackfruit to make sweet delectables that are not only lip-smacking but nutritious too.
Muskmelon
As the spring season has begun, you will soon start noticing vendors bringing muskmelon to the vegetable market. Like watermelon, it also has a high amount of water content, but it is also loaded with vitamins C and A. Nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan said that it is also a rich source of potassium.
Pineapple
The mention of pineapple cookies, biscuits, pie, and custard can make any sweet dish enthusiast drool. This spring season, you have more reasons to add it to your diet because the nutritionist recommends it. The fruit is not only known to reduce inflammation in the body but it also helps with improving digestion. Being a rich source of manganese and vitamin C, it can provide relief from constipation.
Grapes
The nutritionist shared that grapes contain antioxidants like resveratrol that are known to improve heart health and also have anti-ageing properties. Therefore, you should include it in your spring season diet. You can consume them as is or add them to fruit custard to enjoy the sweet dish.