Why have we come to believe that anything that is vernacular is always second best? Why is it that imported products see our racks more often than the simple things available as their counterparts? Is it just an obsession with all things western or is it truly nutritious and beneficial for our body?
Nutritionists have been answering these questions forever now, the answer is No, anything that is not grown in and around the region you live is not more beneficial. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has travelled and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store which is not the best you give your body. While avocados are said to be a super food, it cannot be for us since we get them from another region. Unless a fruit or a vegetable grows in your state or even around it, the benefits of the said food product will not reach our body. The simple reason being that anything that comes from far away will lose it freshness no matter how much refrigeration you do. Once in a while splurging to get those imported berries is good for your palette but a habit may not be.
Local foods are our super foods, depending on which part of the country you live in, you chose your food accordingly. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are again a huge yes compared to the ones you get but arent in season, why, because of the freshness in the produce.
Here we have 5 simple reasons why you should eat more locally
The nutrient value in local food remains higher because of the simple fact that there is less time between harvest and consumption. With distances, the value of nutrient decreases and on top of that it has to sit in stores till someone purchases it. Food from far away regions or even countries tend to lack that fresh nourishment.
By consuming the locally grown produce, you decrease the demand and need for chemically laden vegetable and fruits. There is less transport and storage time, hence the goods don’t need preservatives to make it last longer. The food is healthier when bought from a local vendor than compared to an imported store. And these vegetables and fruits are organic, because they don’t use chemicals.
The taste of the food is also better when cooked using local ingredients. Because the groceries will be harvested at the time of ripe and not before . With fruits and vegetables grown somewhere far away, the farmers need to pluck before ripening and laden with chemicals to boost ripening when it sits are the store.
Sometimes, you might find a price disparity between the local vendors and the supermarket chains. This is because the supermarket chains compromise on the quality and purchase in bulk, hence a wholesale price. Buying locally is sightly expensive on your pocket but organically more reasonable. you invest in a better food supply for the generations to come by helping promote the local farmers.
Eating locals means eating seasonal. This also prevents the body from consuming the same things all round the year, which is clearly not a good sign. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetable will help the body get the desired nutrients that it may otherwise not get by eating the same that are available every other month. For example, food that grows in winter are beneficial for you in that season.
Simple changes like these can have a huge impact on your health and overall quality of life.