It's September, which means it's time to start introducing fall foods into our diets. 

Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, explains that as the summer wraps up, it's a great time of the year for sweet corn, but as the weather gets colder, the season will shift towards things like apples and pumpkins. 

Mellendorf adds that crops that grow in the spring can also be grown in the fall. She points to things like lettuce and cauliflower as examples, and says that these foods pair well with an animal or plant-based protein. 

If you're looking for something extra to enhance the flavors in your fall foods, Mellendorf says to use things like mustards and vinaigrettes. She notes that we can also start seeding many herbs and spices. 

No matter what you eat this fall, it's always important to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and getting all of your vital nutrients. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu/food.