5 Ways Growing Your Own Food Improves Your Health

It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables are essential parts of a nutritious diet, but you might not know where they come from. Most people get their fresh produce from their local grocery stores; however, there might be another way. Gardening is a popular hobby, but you can also use it to stock your kitchen. Whether you want to grow a few things or a wide variety, consider the many ways growing your own food improves your health.

It’s Always Fresh

There’s nothing better than extra-fresh fruits and vegetables, but it’s not always high-quality when it comes from the grocery store. Unfortunately, there’s a chance they’re already spoiled or mushy by the time you purchase your tomatoes or peppers. However, your fruits and veggies will always be fresh when you grow them at home in your garden.

Gardening Is Good for Your Health

Aside from actually eating the food you grow, gardening is a healthy hobby. Because it forces you to spend more time outdoors, you’ll connect with nature and soak up vitamin D from the sun. Additionally, you’ll be off the couch and getting physical activity, which is positive for your physical and mental health. Even if you don’t have much experience with gardening, it can become a crucial part of your lifestyle.

Motivation To Eat Healthily

Eating healthily isn’t always easy or desirable, especially when you have the choice between buying chips and cookies or bananas and greens from your local grocery store. When you grow fresh produce in your garden, you’ll have more motivation to eat nutritious food options. If you grow it yourself, you’ll take pride in your gardening skills, and you won’t want any of it to go to waste.

Pro Tip

Starting a garden with your children is an excellent way to encourage healthy food choices—they’ll be more likely to eat their veggies if they helped grow them in the yard.

You’re in Control

Although it’s relatively common to buy fresh produce from the store, you never truly know what chemicals the farmers and manufacturers used on them during the growth process. That said, you could be putting toxins into your body without knowing it. Luckily, you’re in control of what you use in your garden when you grow your own fruits and vegetables. Harsh pesticides may keep pests away, but they also damage your health if ingested.

Bonds Your Family

Bonding with your family is important, but it’s not always simple. Your kids might have their own hobbies, and you probably have yours. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start a garden together. Building stronger connections with your family members is good for your mental health, and bonding over a garden is great for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

After learning a few ways growing your own food improves your health, you might look for starter plants and trees at an online fruit tree nursery. Growing your own food isn’t always simple, but it’s always worth it—start your garden today!