Is it actually healthier to eat fruits and vegetables that are 'in season'? Dieticians settle the debate - and reveal what's REALLY important

Dieticians are finally settling the debate over whether it's 'healthier' to eat fruit that is 'in season'.

Judy Simon, a registered and certified dietician, that produce not in season in the United States is usually imported from countries where it is in season.

However, because the fruits and vegetables need to be shipped thousands of miles to American grocery stores, they are picked well before when is ideal. 

It is important to fill up on fruits and vegetables in an every-day diet to benefit from their vitamins and minerals - but depending on the time of year, some produce may be healthier than others

Simon told Verywell Health : 'Since they have to travel a long distance, they’re harvested well before they have reached their peak.'

Over the course of its long journey, produce may lose nutritional value, be more expensive and less sustainable. 

Ms Simon added: 'Seasonal produce is allowed to stay on the tree, plant, or vine until it is fully ripened and mature. 

'This provides us with more natural flavors and nutrients. Nutrients are lost when produce has to travel distances.'

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With the glutenous Thanksgiving break out of the way and New Year's resolutions around the corner, many Americans will be considering starting a new diet. 

And food that is not ripe has fewer nutrients than in-season products.

Dr Carolyn Williams, a registered dietician and culinary instructor, told DailyMail.com: 'Ripe produce tends to be higher in nutrients - specifically antioxidants like vitamin C - compared to unripe produce. Mineral content, on the other hand, doesn't really change.

'There's no reason to eat unripe produce - unless you prefer the taste [but] you can miss out on higher antioxidant levels.' 

Aside from nutrition, in-season fruits and vegetables tend to taste better and cost less.

Ms Simon added: 'If you buy local and if you can buy fresh, certainly the flavors can be better, and the nutrient content will be superior to something that’s shipped and transported.'

When produce is harvested locally and does not have to be shipped, it cuts down on transportation and storage costs - meaning you save money at the register.  

Eating seasonally also means you can rotate the minerals and vitamins you get from food, adding diversity to your diet and optimizing health. 

And seasonal produce can even help your body cope with the changing weather - with watermelon providing extra hydration during summer's warm temperatures and potatoes supplying extra calories as the air gets cold.