Five Foods to Favor in the Fall

Ayurveda has a lot to say about food, which is probably why I enjoy studying it so much! This is a critical time for eating well because it will determine how well you feel as fall and early winter arrive. You see, Ayurveda has this interesting perspective: How we eat in one season will determine our health in the next season.

Here are the five foods to favor as we make our transition from summer to fall:

1) Beets: Ayurveda considers fall the second best time to detoxify, and there is no better detox food than beets. (Other red and purple fruits and veggies score high here too.) Try to eat beets every day this month. They need to be fresh beets, not canned or vacuum sealed. Ayurveda always favors fresh foods over canned, powdered, frozen or processed.

2) Leafy greens: These are versatile detoxifiers. This time of year we often go back and forth between hot and cool days, so eat your greens accordingly. On hot days, eat raw salads, best eaten for lunch when the digestive fire is hottest. On cool days, eat cooked greens, such as kale or collard greens sautéed with garlic.

3) Turmeric: If you want to stay well in fall and winter, you can’t beat the anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial effects of turmeric. You can buy the root (it’s part of the ginger family) at the grocery store and put it in stir-fries. You can also use the powdered form. We put it in everything we eat at our house!

4) Ginger: This warming spice is another powerful anti-inflammatory. Chop up the fresh ginger to cook with veggies. Also put several pieces in your daily tea. Drink black and/or green tea with ginger every day to keep the diseases away.

5) Apples: Just when we need them most, Mother Nature gives us plenty of types to choose from. Throughout the summer, heat builds in our bodies and apples have the amazing effect of releasing this pent-up heat. Eat at least one apple every day to create the best inner environment for strong immunity.

Bonus recipe: Beet and apple salad
Use your food processor or hand grate one organic beet and one organic apple (with the skin on). Mix together with 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice for a delicious daily salad that detoxifies and cools.