Why You Can’t Stop Thinking About…Squash!
Every autumn, I see yellow leaves, feel the crisp air, and—boom—I start fantasizing about squash!
In soups, roasted, pureed, or tossed in salads. Even in pie, coffee drinks, and smoothies. Does this happen to you, too?
That irresistible orange vibe isn’t just aesthetic—it’s biological. Eating seasonal foods helps your body adapt to fewer daylight hours and longer nights.
Seasonal Foods = Seasonal Medicine
Plants in season produce protective compounds called polyphenols—nature’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
You’ve probably heard of some:
Quercetin (apples, onions)
Resveratrol (grapes)
Flavonoids (found in colorful fruits and veggies)
When we eat them, their chemistry becomes ours, strengthening cellular communication and resilience.
These polyphenols even act as chronoregulators—helping our cells adjust to the shifting light and rhythm of the season while supporting hormone balance, nervous system health, and mood regulation.
Warm Foods, Better Absorption
Our bodies naturally crave richer, fattier foods in fall—another built-in mammalian adaptation.
Here’s the fun part:
🍁 Healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and squash seeds actually enhance polyphenol absorption.
🍁 Warm prep methods—like roasting—increase nutrient availability.
It’s almost like your biology and your cravings are conspiring for good!
Nature’s Palette: Eat the Rainbow of Fall
Here’s your quick-reference guide to seasonal colors, foods, and their benefits:
❤️ Red
Apples, pomegranates, cranberries, red cabbage, beets (rich in quercetin)
Supports liver function, mitochondrial energy, circulation, and mood balance; calms inflammation.
🧡 Orange
Pumpkin, butternut and kabocha squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, persimmons
Strengthens immunity and antioxidant defenses; protects skin and vision; supports hormone balance.
💛 Yellow
Pears, golden beets, ginger root, yellow onions
Promotes digestive and liver health; steadies mood and energy as daylight shortens.
💚 Green
Kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collard greens
Enhances detoxification, blood sugar balance, and stress resilience.
💜 Purple / Blue
Concord grapes, plums, purple carrots, purple potatoes (loaded with resveratrol and flavonoids)
Boosts circulation and brain health; supports sleep, focus, and emotional steadiness.
🤎 Brown / Earthy
Walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts, mushrooms
Grounds the nervous system; supports gut health, stable energy, and warmth from within.
Eat Intuitively, Live Seasonally
Wherever you live, eat what’s being harvested right now.
In Central Oregon, my weekly CSA box delivers nature’s wisdom to my doorstep: squash, pears, kale, carrots, onions, potatoes, plums, and peppers—each one timed perfectly for the season’s needs.
If you don’t have a CSA, farmers market, or local co-op, ask your grocer what’s in season—it’s one of the simplest ways to align your diet with your biology.
Warmly,
Dr. Krista
Olive Says:
Listen, I’m just a dog, but even I know to eat what’s in season.
If it falls on the floor, I harvest it.
You humans do something similar with those boxes of food on the porch.
I’m always here for the harvest!