Welcome back, short days, crisp air and colorful leaves. Stow away the swimsuit and dust off the sweaters for apple picking. Enjoy the seasonal produce that makes this season so tasty.


Here's 5 tips to enjoy your healthiest autumn yet

  1. Buy in-season veggies - such as beets, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Not to mention cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, kale and squash. An abundance of tasty autumn vegetables makes it easy to reap the benefits of vegetables in our diet, such as diabetes prevention, hypertension control, heart health and more. Consider roasting fall veggies with just a little oil, salt and pepper.
  2. Enjoy cranberries and persimmons, too - Everyone knows fall is a great time to enjoy fruits like apples and pears. Be sure to also add tangy and healthy cranberries and sweet persimmons to your fall fruit choices. Persimmons will contribute fiber and vitamin C to your diet, while cranberries are a good source of various vitamins and antioxidants.
  3. The Great Pumpkin - The pulp of this fall favorite is dense with vitamins A and C, and its tasty seeds, called pepitas, are rich in phytosterols, which may help to lower cholesterol. Try a Google search for recipes for, say, roasted pepitas, pumpkin spread or warm and creamy pumpkin soup.
  4. Eat like an athlete - not a couch potato – on game day. Set out raw veggies and dip instead of chips, and you'll graze much more healthfully. You can improve game-day favorites by cutting pizza into smaller slices or doling chili into cups instead of bowl-sized portions.
  5. Enjoy the outdoors - The moderate temperature is a reprieve from the sweltering summer and a gift before winter. What better season to head outside? Plus, spending time outdoors increases your vitamin D levels, makes you happier and improves your concentration, according to Harvard Medical School.