How local and seasonal eating can support not only your health but also Global Sustainability Goals

Have you ever thought about how far your food has traveled before it reaches your plate?
Many foods we eat every day travel thousands of kilometers, and to survive that journey, they’re often treated with chemicals to keep them looking “fresh.” Spices are some of the worst offenders — often containing traces of heavy metals like lead or mold toxins due to long-distance transport and storage.

And here’s the thing: these substances don’t just disappear when we cook or sprinkle them on our food. Heavy metals and chemical residues can accumulate in the body over time, affecting gut health and even brain function. They can disrupt the microbiome, interfere with nutrient absorption, and, in some cases, impact mood and focus. For anyone already dealing with fatigue, brain fog, or digestive issues, it can make a bad situation worse.

That’s one reason why I advocate seasonal eating and buying local food. Choosing foods grown closer to where we live means they are fresher, more nutrient-dense, and often produced with fewer chemical treatments. A tomato from a nearby farm doesn’t need to be waxed or picked unripe to survive a week on a truck or in a shipping container. Eating seasonally keeps us connected to nature’s rhythm: fresh berries in summer, hearty root vegetables in winter, crisp greens in spring.

And it’s not just about personal health. Seasonal and local food choices are a small but powerful way to support sustainable nutrition and reduce the environmental burden of long-distance food transport — a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This is why the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) highlights the need for more efficient, locally grounded food systems.

In short, what’s good for your gut and brain health is also good for the planet. And the beauty of this approach is that it feels natural, not restrictive. By focusing on what’s in season and locally available, we nourish ourselves with nutrient-rich foods while helping build resilient, sustainable food systems for future generations.

Want to align your eating habits with both your health and the planet?
That’s what I do in my nutrition coaching practice: practical, science-based strategies that respect your body and the world around us. [Work with me →]