During the month of March, eating a healthy diet is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system. Choosing the right vegetables that are in season not only helps in that area, it also has other benefits. Let’s see why it’s important to eat the right seasonal veggies for the month of March and the four best types of veggies you should have in your diet. We’ll also find out about some good meal ideas we can make at home using the best leafy greens, root vegetables, and more that are in season.
Why Eat Seasonal Veggies in March?
When you buy vegetables in season, you’re buying them fresh. Because it doesn’t have to be transported as far, your vegetables can maintain their nutrients. Consuming seasonal produce is flavorful, and the month of March marks the transition from winter to spring. You’ll make more delicious recipes with fresh, nutritious produce. Eating seasonal veggies also has an impact on the environment and economy. This reduces the need for long-distance transportation of the produce, lowers carbon emissions, and supports sustainability. You’ll also be supporting the regional economy by choosing to purchase from local businesses that grow and sell vegetables.
4 Best Types of Seasonal Veggies for this Month
There are plenty of seasonal veggies that you can find in local businesses, grocery stores, and supermarkets. You can use them to freshen up recipes already made or to make whole new dishes. If you want to know the best greens and root veggies to add to your kitchen, here are the four best types of vegetables to look out for in March.
Leafy Greens
Some of the best leafy greens that are in season for this month are arugula, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard. These veggies are known for being rich in iron, fiber, and antioxidants. Kale and spinach are good sources of Vitamin A and C. Feel free to enjoy them in your smoothies or as sauteed side dishes.
Root Vegetables
Other examples of veggies that are common in early spring are root vegetables. Some of the most versatile vegetables that you can’t put in any dish are carrots. These root veggies are rich in carotenoid pigments and provide many healthy benefits, such as lutein for your vision and lycopene for the heart. Add several other root vegetables to your diet, such as radishes, beets, and turnips, which are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and gut health support.
Early Spring Favorites
Some of the most common early spring favorites to add to your kitchen include asparagus, leeks, peas, and green onions. These types of lighter veggies are great for easy digestion. A half cup of raw asparagus could give you almost two-thirds of your daily Vitamin K. Peas are high in all sorts of nutrients, such as vitamin A, C, K, B6, folate, and iron, among others. Leeks are vegetables that are usually available in the early spring and also provide vitamins A, C, and K.
Cruciferous Veggies
When we think of cruciferous veggies, we think of broccoli, and that’s what’s in season during early spring. Vegetables in this category are great for supporting hormone balance and detoxification. Cauliflower is one of the most versatile, cruciferous veggies in this group. Many recipes have been using cauliflower to make pizza crust or rice. Look for other cruciferous veggies to be in season, such as cabbage and brussels sprouts.
Easy Meal Ideas Using March Vegetables
There are various meal ideas you can try with these various veggies. You can try adding all of these veggies to your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. For example, you can spinach and arugula into your eggs with cheese and some seasonings to make an omelet. For lunch, you can either make a green detox soup or a kale salad. Your dinner may consist of roasting some carrots, broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower to make some type of roasted root veggie bowl. Another idea could be to make a good old-fashioned vegetable stir-fry. End your seasonal vegetable-inspired meal with a simple snack of raw veggies with hummus.
Eating Seasonal Veggies is Beneficial for Your Health
Eating the right vegetables when they’re in season adds a bit of freshness to your kitchen and recipes. It’s also economically and environmentally beneficial. Consuming vegetables in season is also nutritious for your overall health. So try at least 2-3 new seasonal veggies this month of March and add them to your kitchen today.
What are your favorite seasonal veggies for the month of March? What do you find to be the healthiest, nutrient-rich vegetables in early spring? Share your favorites in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next veggie lover you know.
