The Importance of Eating Fruits in Season

As November unfolds in Nigeria, markets overflow with vibrant oranges, golden pawpaws, and an abundance of fresh produce that signals nature's perfect timing. But beyond their appealing colors and flavors, seasonal fruits and vegetables offer profound benefits that many overlook in our increasingly globalized food system.

Eating fruits and vegetables when they're naturally in season isn't just a tradition—it's a practice rooted in nutrition, economics, and environmental wisdom. Seasonal produce reaches your plate at peak ripeness, meaning it's harvested when its nutritional content is at its highest. Unlike out-of-season imports that must be picked early to survive long-distance transportation, seasonal fruits ripen naturally, developing their full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The economic benefits are equally compelling. Seasonal produce is typically more affordable because it's abundant and doesn't carry the costs of long-distance shipping or artificial storage. For Nigerian families, choosing seasonal fruits means stretching your naira further while feeding your household better quality nutrition.

Nigeria's citrus season brings a welcome boost of vitamin C, precisely when many need it most. Oranges and tangerines are bursting with antioxidants that support immune function, helping families ward off common illnesses. A single orange can provide more than the daily recommended vitamin C intake, while also delivering fiber that aids digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Often underestimated, pawpaw (papaya) is a nutritional treasure available year-round in Nigeria but particularly abundant now. Rich in vitamins A and C, pawpaw supports eye health, skin vitality, and immune defense. The enzyme papain found in pawpaw aids digestion, making it an excellent choice after heavy meals. For those managing digestive issues, ripe pawpaw can be remarkably soothing.

Bananas provide quick, sustained energy through natural sugars paired with fiber. They're exceptionally rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health, particularly important in a country where hypertension affects many adults. The affordability and availability of bananas make them an accessible nutritional option for all economic levels.

Nigerian yams are more than just cultural staples; they're nutritional powerhouses loaded with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium and manganese. Yams provide sustained energy without the blood sugar spikes associated with refined carbohydrates. Potatoes, similarly, offer vitamin C, B vitamins, and when eaten with their skins, valuable fiber.

Whether fried, boiled, or roasted, plantains are a beloved part of Nigerian cuisine for good reason. They provide resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supports digestive health, and helps regulate blood sugar. Green plantains are lower in sugar, while ripe ones offer quick energy and natural sweetness.

These foundational ingredients do far more than add flavor. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk. Onions contain quercetin and other compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has been used medicinally for centuries, offering relief from nausea, inflammation, and digestive discomfort. Garlic's allicin compound supports cardiovascular health and may help boost immune function.

Having these ingredients fresh and in season means they're not only more flavorful but also more nutritionally potent.

Start by planning your meals around what's currently abundant in local markets. This approach naturally reduces food costs while ensuring variety. Buy from local farmers and market vendors when possible—you'll get fresher produce, support local agriculture, and often receive helpful preparation tips.

Store seasonal fruits properly to extend their freshness. Keep oranges and tangerines in cool, ventilated spaces. Allow bananas to ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate to slow further ripening. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature until cut, as refrigeration can diminish their flavor.

Consider preserving excess seasonal produce. Overripe bananas can be frozen for smoothies or baking. Tomatoes can be made into sauces and frozen. Ginger and garlic can be minced and preserved with oil in ice cube trays for easy cooking.

Choosing seasonal, local produce reduces the environmental impact of your food choices. Imported out-of-season fruits require significant energy for transportation and refrigeration, contributing to carbon emissions. By eating what grows naturally in Nigeria's current climate, you participate in a more sustainable food system.

The fruits and vegetables in season this November offer Nigerian families an opportunity to eat well, spend wisely, and support local agriculture. From the vitamin C burst of citrus fruits to the sustained energy of yams and plantains, seasonal eating aligns your diet with nature's rhythms while delivering peak nutrition and flavor.

The next time you visit the market, take a moment to appreciate the abundance of seasonal produce around you. These aren't just ingredients, they're nature's way of providing exactly what your body needs, precisely when it needs it most. Embracing seasonal eating is one of the simplest yet most impactful changes you can make for your health, your wallet, and your community.

 

 

 

As November unfolds in Nigeria, markets overflow with vibrant oranges, golden pawpaws, and an abundance of fresh produce that signals nature's perfect timing. But beyond their appealing colors and flavors, seasonal fruits and vegetables offer profound benefits that many overlook in our increasingly globalized food system.

The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." This wisdom extends beautifully to God's provision through seasonal produce. Genesis 1:29 declares, "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

God's design is intentional—the fruits and vegetables that grow abundantly in each season are precisely what our bodies need to thrive during that time. This isn't a coincidence; it is divine provision meeting human need.

Eating fruits and vegetables when they're naturally in season isn't just a tradition—it's a practice rooted in nutrition, economics, environmental wisdom, and God's perfect timing. Seasonal produce reaches your plate at peak ripeness, meaning it's harvested when its nutritional content is at its highest. Unlike out-of-season imports that must be picked early to survive long-distance transportation, seasonal fruits ripen naturally, developing their full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The economic benefits are equally compelling. Seasonal produce is typically more affordable because it's abundant and doesn't carry the costs of long-distance shipping or artificial storage. For Nigerian families, choosing seasonal fruits means stretching your naira further while feeding your household better quality nutrition.

As November ushers in the Harmattan season with its dry, dusty winds and cooler temperatures, many Nigerians experience increased vulnerability to colds, coughs, and respiratory discomfort. Remarkably, this is exactly when citrus fruits reach their peak abundance—God's perfect provision for our seasonal health needs.

The timing of Nigeria's citrus season is no accident. As Harmattan brings dusty air that can irritate throats and weaken immune defenses, oranges and tangerines arrive bursting with vitamin C—nature's defense against colds and infections. A single orange can provide more than 100% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake, precisely when our bodies need extra immune support.

Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping your body fight off the viruses that circulate more readily in Harmattan's dry conditions. It also supports the production of white blood cells, your body's first line of defense against illness. For families, making fresh orange juice or eating tangerines daily during November through February isn't just refreshing—it's preventive healthcare that God has made abundantly available and affordable.

The Psalmist declares in Psalm 147:8, "He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills." Just as God provides rain in its season, He provides the fruits our bodies need when we need them most.

Often underestimated, pawpaw (papaya) is a nutritional treasure particularly abundant during this season. Rich in vitamins A and C, pawpaw supports eye health, especially important during Harmattan when dust can irritate eyes, skin vitality, and immune defense. The enzyme papain found in pawpaw aids digestion, making it an excellent choice after heavy meals. For those managing digestive issues or stomach discomfort that can accompany seasonal changes, ripe pawpaw can be remarkably soothing.

Pawpaw's high vitamin A content also helps maintain healthy mucous membranes in the respiratory tract, providing additional protection against Harmattan-related respiratory issues.

Bananas provide quick, sustained energy through natural sugars paired with fiber. They're exceptionally rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health, particularly important in a country where hypertension affects many adults. The affordability and availability of bananas make them an accessible nutritional option for all economic levels.

During Harmattan, when some people experience fatigue from weather changes, bananas offer natural energy without the crash associated with processed sugars.

Nigerian yams are more than just cultural staples; they're nutritional powerhouses loaded with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium and manganese. Yams provide sustained energy without the blood sugar spikes associated with refined carbohydrates—crucial during months when bodies work harder to maintain warmth and health.

Potatoes, similarly, offer vitamin C (additional immune support during Harmattan), B vitamins, and, when eaten with their skins, valuable fiber. The warming, filling nature of these root vegetables aligns perfectly with the body's need for substantial, comforting foods during cooler weather.

Whether fried, boiled, or roasted, plantains are a beloved part of Nigerian cuisine for good reason. They provide resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supports digestive health, and helps regulate blood sugar. Green plantains are lower in sugar, while ripe ones offer quick energy and natural sweetness.

As 3 John 1:2 reminds us, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." God desires our physical health, and He provides the means through seasonal abundance.

These foundational ingredients do far more than add flavor—they're medicinal gifts particularly valuable during the Harmattan season.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene; a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk. Their vitamin C content adds to your immune arsenal.

Onions contain quercetin and other compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated airways—a common Harmattan complaint.

Ginger is perhaps one of God's most perfect provisions for this season. Its warming properties help combat the chill of Harmattan nights, while its anti-inflammatory compounds soothe sore throats and reduce coughing. Ginger tea with honey has been used for generations to relieve cold symptoms, and modern science confirms its effectiveness.

Garlic's allicin compound supports cardiovascular health and powerfully boosts immune function. Studies show that regular garlic consumption can reduce the frequency and severity of colds—exactly what's needed as Harmattan increases cold and flu circulation.

Having these ingredients fresh and in season means they're not only more flavorful but also more nutritionally and medicinally potent.

Start by planning your meals around what's currently abundant in local markets. This approach naturally reduces food costs while ensuring variety and optimal nutrition. Buy from local farmers and market vendors when possible—you'll get fresher produce, support local agriculture, and often receive helpful preparation tips.

Store seasonal fruits properly to extend their freshness. Keep oranges and tangerines in cool, ventilated spaces. Allow bananas to ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate to slow further ripening. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature until cut, as refrigeration can diminish their flavor.

Consider preserving excess seasonal produce. Overripe bananas can be frozen for smoothies or baking. Tomatoes can be made into sauces and frozen. Ginger and garlic can be minced and preserved with oil in ice cube trays for easy cooking.

Choosing seasonal, local produce reduces the environmental impact of your food choices. Imported out-of-season fruits require significant energy for transportation and refrigeration, contributing to carbon emissions. By eating what grows naturally in Nigeria's current climate, you participate in a more sustainable food system and honor the stewardship mandate given in Genesis 2:15, where God placed man in the garden "to work it and take care of it."

Proverbs 3:7-8 offers timeless health advice: "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Part of this wisdom is recognizing and utilizing God's provision in each season.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and caring for them properly honors God. When we choose the abundant seasonal produce He provides—oranges for immune defense, ginger for inflammation, pawpaw for digestion—we participate in divine wisdom that has sustained humanity for millennia.

The fruits and vegetables in season this November offer Nigerian families an opportunity to eat well, spend wisely, support local agriculture, and experience God's purposeful provision. From the vitamin C burst of citrus fruits protecting against Harmattan colds to the warming properties of ginger soothing irritated throats, from the sustained energy of yams and plantains to the immune-boosting power of garlic, seasonal eating aligns your diet with nature's rhythms and God's design while delivering peak nutrition and flavor.

As Psalm 104:14-15 beautifully expresses: "He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts."

The next time you visit the market, take a moment to appreciate the abundance of seasonal produce around you. These aren't just ingredients—they're God's provision, perfectly timed to meet your body's needs in each season. The oranges abundant during Harmattan aren't a coincidence; they're divine design meeting human need.

Embracing seasonal eating is one of the simplest yet most impactful changes you can make for your health, your wallet, your community, and your stewardship of God's creation. Let this November be the beginning of a journey into eating with the seasons—trusting that the Creator who numbers the hairs on your head also knows exactly what nutrients your body needs and when.