After a long hard day, you dash to the shops and bypass rows of robust looking green things in favour of colourful old favourites in the fruit and veg isle. Sound familiar? You're not alone.

We can buy foods grown anywhere in the world all year round these days, but all too often the results are disappointing. 'Why are tomatoes so flavourless? Bread so spongy? Chicken so bland?' is the cry of shoppers nationwide. Well it may be because we're not eating them the way nature intended. There's lots of evidence to suggest that we would enjoy our food much more if we remembered the way we used to eat.

Better for taste
Think back to childhood memories – nothing could beat the first strawberry of the year, or the way the juicy, tangy segments of a clementine exploded in your mouth at the start of the season. You knew it was summer when you first inhaled the aroma of fresh new potatoes with mint, and the comforting warmth of your mum's cauliflower cheese signalled the winter months. We've lost the sense of occasion that came with the arrival of each season's food – and that's not all we've lost.

Better for health
A study from the Ministry of Agriculture found that cows produce nutritionally different milk in summer and winter according to their diets. This gives us the vitamins and minerals that we need in the different seasons. If we ignore the seasons, our bodies may be missing out. We were designed with nature in mind - in summer when the weather is warm we crave light, cooling foods and fresh summery flavours such as strawberries, apples and salads. When there's a chill in the air and autumn approaches, the more starchy, wholesome and filling root vegetables arrive such as carrots, turnips and parsnips – just what your body needs to get you through the winter nights. Eating a good variety of fresh fruit and veg means you'll be getting all the vitamins you need, as well as making mealtimes more interesting.

Better for the planet
A typical UK family emits 4.2 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year from the production, processing and packaging of their food according to government reports. Buying organic is no guarantee that you're buying green: 70% of all organic food is imported. Almost 900 times more energy is used to import produce than to eat your greens home grown and the contents of the average supermarket trolley will have clocked up thousands of air miles. Californian strawberries are flown more than 5,000 miles to get to your fruit bowl for spring. Wait until June, and you'll have UK strawberries at their best. Eat seasonally, and you'll help save the planet at the same time.

Better for the community
Dairy, poultry, pork and lamb are all imported into the UK – even though we export the same products. Supermarkets even import produce when our own versions are in season, damaging rural economies. Take the humble apple: there are more than 28 varieties of British apple, and with the season running from July until April, there's no excuse not to buy British.

What can you do?

• Invest: the average Brit spends just £19.42 a week on food - the lowest per head in Europe. Make quality food a priority and see the results. There are even daily delivery services such as Pure Package (08456 123 88) who deliver freshly prepared, seasonal and organic meals and snacks right to your door.
• Go local: help the local economy rather than giving your money to big supermarket chains. Britain has a wealth of great local produce and you'll get better value for money.
• Box clever: if you're pressed for time you can still eat seasonally with an organic box of local produce delivered weekly to your door.
• Head to market: Farmers market are a great day out with the kids and there are now more than 500 in the UK. You can buy food that's been produced locally, usually within a 30-50 mile radius, and chances are the person selling it to you will have grown it.
• Grow your own: It's cheap, seasonal and good for you. Get the kids to help you out and it needn't take up too much of your time. Tomato plants, herbs, lettuces, mustard and cress and blackberries are all easy to grow at home.
• Log on: Every month, allaboutyou.com will be bringing you all the info on what's in season, where to find it, and recipe suggestions for what to do with it.

Now read:

What to eat in March

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