Seasonal Wellness: Eating and Living With the Year

Traditional medical systems — Persian, Ayurvedic, Chinese — all noticed long ago that your body needs different things in different seasons. Modern circadian (your body's roughly 24-hour internal clock) and seasonal biology is starting to catch up.

Spring

Bitter greens (dandelion, arugula, watercress) gently support the liver as it wakes back up — and it's a good time to lighten winter's heavier foods.

Summer

Cool down with cucumber, melon, mint, yogurt and sour cherries. Favor lighter midday meals, and hydrate generously with mint and lemon water.

Autumn

Move toward warming roots — squash, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger. Add oils and warming spices as the days shorten.

Winter

Lean on warming stews, bone broth, cinnamon, cardamom and warm drinks — and get outside in the daylight to support your mood.