The temperatures have cooled, the leaves have fallen, and fall is here. This is the time of year when everyone is getting sick, so why not try and prevent that with some healthy fall foods? Summer isn’t the only time of year that produces vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Healthy fall foods are high in antioxidants and immune system-boosting vitamins and minerals — just in time to fight the upcoming fall flu and cold viruses.

These nutritious healthy fall foods are not only found in the supermarket; healthy fall foods can be located at your local famers’ market during the season. The healthy fall foods you can find at these markets will always be in season; these healthy fall foods are grown and harvested during peak conditions. Farmers’ markets also provide fresher produce which will help your healthy fall foods last longer, and also taste better!

The following article from About.com lists a few healthy fall foods as well as links to healthy fall food recipes. Enjoy!

Get Healthy with Fall Foods

Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean you need to avoid the produce section. This is a great time of year to up the nutritional value of your meals while enjoying some of the great foods that are in season.

• Pumpkin

Pumpkins make great jack-o-lanterns and they’re also great for nutritious and yummy meals. Pumpkin provides carotenoids (which help fight heart disease and cancer), vitamins C, E and riboflavin, iron, fiber and potassium, just to name a few. You could run out and start making pumpkin pies or you could try for healthier ideas by checking out these Healthy Pumpkin Recipes.

• Apples

This time of year, apples are at their best and, because they’re so versatile, you can find many ways to work them into your diet. Apples are low in calories, high in fiber, have no cholesterol and give your body important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, calcium and folic acid. You can eat them alone or add them to any number of dishes for extra taste and nutrition. Try one of these Healthy Apple Recipes.

• Pecans

You probably know that nuts are good for you (as long as you practice some portion control) and pecans are at the top of the list when it comes to healthy nuts. Pecans offer zinc, magnesium, potassium, thiamine, folic acid and vitamin B6, just to name a few, and they’re great sprinkled on salads or eaten alone as a snack. Learn more about how pecans can keep you healthy.

The previous foods may be autumn’s go-to foods, but there are also many other healthy fall foods to take think about enjoying when fall rolls around:

• Pears– These healthy fall foods, cousins to the apple, are low in calories, high in fiber, and offer plenty of vitamins C and K.
• Pomegranate– This healthy fall food is a great source of antioxidants and has also been found to reduce cholesterol and the risk of prostate cancer.
• Cranberries– This healthy fall food not only adds color and flavor to a meal, they also can reduce the risk of breast cancer, urinary tract infections, heart disease, and reduce plaque and cavities.
• Brussels sprouts– This green, crunchy, healthy fall food is packed with more Vitamin C than an orange, plus contains Vitamin K, calcium, and folate.

With all this healthy fall food knowledge, preparing meals this holiday season should be easy, right? Just be careful when making that pumpkin pie or apple crisp. These healthy fall foods may be included in the recipe, but there are healthier ways to create your favorite comfort foods without canceling out the nutrients these healthy fall foods bring naturally. Happy fall, and enjoy all that the season brings!