The days are getting shorter. The evenings are getting colder. It’s officially sweater weather. And, those cravings for comfort food begin. Don’t fret! Fall is actually the perfect time to add paleo comfort food to your meals. The autumn growing season brings lots of vegetables that can calm those cold night cravings. When we want something warm and substantial, there’s so many options that are healthy, delicious and won’t make you need to make more resolutions in January.
The Root of it All
One of the best choices for comfort food on a snowy, windy night is root vegetables. They are robust and chock-full of important vitamins. Think carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, white potatoes, rutabaga, onions and more. Look for mashes, hashes, roasted varieties, soups and sides on Evolve menus this season. These root veggies provide tons of vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, manganese; the list goes on and on. Plus nothing cures that need for comfort food like a warm plate of mashed veggies. Your body will thank you for staying the healthy course and your mind will appreciate that feeling of coziness from a home-style meal.
Beyond Seasonable Doubt
Fall means cooler weather, but there are lots of hearty greens that will last even past the first frosts of the season. So don’t give up on having a great salad or side of greenery with your meal just because the months end in ‘ber’ (or is that ‘brrr.’) Autumn is amazing for leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can enjoy great salads and sides while boosting your vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, riboflavin and calcium. Having a diet rich in these
greens can help improve your blood pressure and reduce your cholesterol, which can lead to a much healthier heart.
All Squashed Up
Finally, let’s not forget one of the often unsung heroes of autumn: the lowly 
squash. This sometimes forgotten magic gourd of chilly months has so many varieties that you can add some type of squash to multiple meals in a week. Look for spaghetti squash, a great-tasting, healthy alternative to pasta, butternut squash, pumpkin and acorn squash, among others. All are paleo friendly and all are fantastic as the temperature drops or for holiday meals. So as you get up for work in the dark and head home from work in the dark, don’t give up on your healthy lifestyle. There’s so many paleo comfort foods to get you through the season. You can have your fireplace, soft blanket, cozy chair and fantastic meals that will fulfill that need for warm and filling entrees.