Figs, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes: autumn foods to care for the gut

Autumn is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the richness of seasonal and local (km 0) products. Choosing foods harvested at their optimal ripeness not only guarantees maximum flavor and nutritional value but also supports sustainability and the local economy. In the region, the company Frutas La Charca, located in Coín, facilitates access to this great variety by delivering fresh fruits and vegetables directly to your home.

From the National Association of Professionals and Self-Employed in Natural Therapies (Cofenat), it is recommended to take advantage of this local supply to care for digestive function and maintain a diverse and balanced diet. “Autumn offers us seasonal foods of exceptional quality,” explains José Ramón Llorente, naturopath and president of Cofenat in Valencia, who highlights the beneficial properties of fruits, vegetables, and fish typical of this time of year.

Among the star km 0 products that can be enjoyed this season are figs, pomegranates, apples, pears, and pumpkins, known for their contribution of vitamins, minerals, fiber, polyphenols, and carotenes. Likewise, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, mushrooms, and the cabbage family establish themselves as fundamental options to incorporate fiber, slow-absorption sugars, and quality prebiotics into our daily diet.

In the realm of seasonal fish, Llorente points out sardines, bonito, red mullet, horse mackerel, and cod, valued for their fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. “All these options provide us with energy, regenerative capacity for the intestine, and immune protection,” the expert maintains.

Consuming fresh and local foods helps expand and enrich our nutrition. According to the naturopath, the more diverse and adapted to the environment the diet is, the more balanced it will be: “It is essential to maintain the presence of healthy fats, high-biological-value proteins, and slow-absorption carbohydrates, adapting the shopping basket to what the earth offers us at each moment.”

Finally, Llorente warns about two common mistakes when the cold arrives: neglecting hydration due to feeling less thirsty and adding an excess of fats (such as cream or cheese) to soups and creams. To achieve creamy textures healthily, he proposes using seasonal ingredients like potato or sweet potato.

Thanks to local distribution initiatives like Frutas La Charca in Coín, bringing healthy, seasonal, and km 0 food to the table is today more comfortable and accessible than ever.