Some of the best seasonal fruits and vegetables can be found during autumn. From tart and tangy cranberries to rich and buttery pumpkins, the options are endless for naturally good eating.

Avocados – High in fiber and packed with monounsaturated fats that can improve cholesterol, avocados are also rich in potassium, folate, and vitamins A, C and E. Enjoy avocados with a salad, taco or atop a whole wheat cracker or crisp bread.

Squash – From acorn to spaghetti, winter squash comes in many delicious and colorful varieties. Squash is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, potassium, fiber and vitamin A. Try it baked, boiled or as the base for soups and pies.

Apples - From turkey stuffing to salads, apples are the stars of good autumn eating. Also high in fiber (average of 4 grams) and potassium, apples contain more quercetin per serviing than any other fruit. Quercitin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can prevent cell, tissue and blood vessel damage.

Cranberries - At their peak between October and December, cranberries are great sources of vitamin C, fiber, manganese, and vitamin K. Tart, tangy and sweet, cranberries are used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections and according to recent studies, may lower cholesterol and blood pressure, promote oral health, and prevent cancer and heart disease.

Related Articles:

• Celebrate Fall at Home
• Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Beets – Known for their reddish-purple color, beets also grow in white, golden or rainbow varieties. Whether served raw on a salad or roasted with other vegetables, beets add beautiful color and powerful nutrients including folate, potassium, manganese, vitamin C and iron to any meal.

Pumpkin - Near synonymous with the fall, pumpkins were celebrated by Native Americans for their medicinal and nutritional properties. The star attractions at many fall festivals, pumpkins with their rich orange color, are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which may prevent blindness, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

Sweet Potato – Sweet potatoes are packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants that lower “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure, improves circulation, stabilizes blood sugar, lowers insulin resistance and may even aid weight loss. Try them mashed, baked or in a pie.

Sources: World’s Healthiest Foods; USDA

Image: fromthelbc, flickr

Do you wake up most mornings feeling overwhelmed? Do you long for more energy and better health? Are you self-conscious, insecure, or fearful about trying a new fitness or weight loss program? Do you wish that you were leading a more meaningful life? Read the full story

Who says soul food can’t be healthy? You can satisfy your love for soul food and be mindful of your health with the American Stroke Association’s The Best of Healthy Soul Food Recipes cookbook. Read the full story

When it comes to finding the best way to lose weight, it all comes down to individual preferences and metabolic needs. That’s the finding of a new study comparing three popular weight loss diets, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. But the results of the study won’t stop the diet wars from raging on. Read the full story

If you want to lose weight, there’s one powerful tool that should be added to your weight loss arsenal. It’s not a new diet pill, supplement or fad diet. It’s a food diary.

Read the full story