Now is the time when many people fortify themselves with vitamins and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. We will show you what is not recommended in the cold season and why.
Our kitchen and refrigerator are usually well stocked, even in autumn, but often with the wrong foods. If you buy correctly, you are not only doing something for your health, but also for the environment and fair working conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to consciously avoid certain foods during the cold season.
1) Strawberries in autumn
Currently, strawberries come mainly from abroad. For example from Spain, where strawberry plantations are planted due to exploitative working conditions. massive use of pesticides and more questionable Irrigation methods They have fallen into disrepute. Or they are even imported from Israel or California.
For strawberries from Germany the following applies: Don’t be fooled! In autumn and winter in this country they ripen only with considerable energy expenditure. In particular, the electricity consumption for artificial lighting is enormous.
In our Utopia Seasonal Calendar You can find out what fruits and vegetables you can buy that are grown locally.
2) imported apples
What is more ecological: an apple imported from New Zealand or a local apple from cold storage? This question is a well-known ecological dilemma; fortunately we can until mid-December It doesn’t matter.
Until then there are fresh apples from the region that are not available cooled using a lot of energy For example, Cox Orange, Jonagold, Elstar, Berlepsch should be used. There is really no need for apples from abroad to be available now.
In our photo series “Identify varieties of apples.“You will mainly find varieties of apples that also grow here.
3) green salads
When it’s cold, green salads come out (such as lettuce, batavia, iceberg lettuce) heated greenhouse and they end up in stores “immature”. That’s why they have less flavor and also contain fewer healthy nutrients like vitamins and phytochemicals.
Have it now too enough salads in Germany Season, for example, lamb’s lettuce, radicchio, endive or purslane.
4) Imported nuts
Most nuts in our stores. come from far away: Peanuts from the USA and Israel, walnuts from California, almonds from the USA and Spain, cashews from India.
Therefore, especially in the autumn and winter months, it is advisable to eat varieties that also grow here (and stored without much energy expenditure become). So: walnuts and hazelnuts from Germany.
5) Conventional citrus fruits
Although the label says “untreated”, they are used on conventional oranges, tangerines and lemons. Common residues of pesticides and preservatives. found.
Manufacturers use tricks to make them… chemical treatment No need to specify: sprays normally applied to fruit after harvest are already sprayed on lemons and oranges hanging from the tree.
So: Better buy organic and fair!
6) Conventional ACE drinks
An extra serving of vitamins for an intact immune system? Better not with conventional ACE drinks. He Fruit content mostly lies only between 20 and 60 percent. To do this, water, sugar or sweeteners and vitamins are mixed. These vitamins usually come from the laboratory and their benefits are also very controversial.
If you want to take vitamins in liquid form, it is better. Organic quality direct juices drink: they are healthier and are usually bottled during the respective season. Or you can try one of our healthy winter smoothie recipes made with seasonal ingredients.
7) Tomatoes in winter? better not buy it
We love eating them all year round. But in the cold season almost all of our tomatoes come from the Netherlands, Spain and France, where they are grown in greenhouses. with high energy consumption be raised.
Better: Avoid “fresh” tomatoes in winter and use pasta, pizza, etc. strained organic tomatoes in a jar wear. They are harvested when ripe and therefore not only taste better than winter imports, but also contain more nutrients. But it is better to look closer when buying, because jarred and canned tomatoes often come from China and have long transportation routes behind them. If you have your own garden, you can cook tomatoes yourself for the winter, then transportation routes are shorter.
8) Cucumbers: not a winter food
The same thing happens with cucumbers as with tomatoes. They are popular year-round, but are only in season here from June to the end of October. In winter there are greenhouse imports and that means: Less healthy nutrients, problematic production conditions and long transportation routes..
Another reason that speaks against cucumbers in winter: in some supermarkets you can now only find them wrapped in plastic. The supermarkets’ justification: This way the cucumbers would be better protected during transport.
Instead, we’ll show you how to do it. Avoid packaging in the supermarket can.
9) Zucchini
Although zucchini is a squash plant, it is only in season here from June to the end of October.. “Real” pumpkins like Hokkaido or butternut On the other hand, it is available in stock from domestic cultivation until December and from that moment on.
we will show some You can also eat pumpkins with their skin on. can. Also delicious and warm. Pumpkin soup recipe you can try it.
10) Conventional tea
Black and green tea largely come from China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya. In conventional plantations they are Working conditions are often miserable. Exploitation, discrimination and poverty are the order of the day. the massive Pesticide use It harms the environment and workers, pesticide residues end up in our glasses.
Therefore, you should buy fair trade black and green tea with the EU organic seal. Or, prefer infusions made with local herbs.
11) Imported grapes
Starting in November, grapes usually come from South Africa, India, Chile, Peru or Brazil. Since they do not ripen, they are harvested fresh and then transported to us by boat. Depending on the place of origin, this can take up to three weeks, and that’s it as far as freshness is concerned.
Conventional grapes are also often contaminated with pesticides, because vines are susceptible to fungi, lice, mites and other pests. Not only do we suffer from this, but the environment also suffers. Therefore, you should only buy fruits from the region, in season and of organic quality.
The Utopia Seasonal Calendar
When do strawberries actually come from Germany? What regional salad can you eat in winter? Our Utopia seasonal calendar gives you an overview of when fruits and vegetables are in season here.
You can get an overview of all twelve months with Utopia’s large year-round seasonal calendar, such as free pdf download for everyone who subscribes to our newsletter.
Please read our health information.
** marked with ** or orange underline Links to supply sources are partly partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.de, because this way we receive a small part of the sales revenue. More information.
Do you like this post?
Thanks for your vote!