Diet & Fitness Blog
Ask Pam: Summer Foods
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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Have a question about your diet? Send an email to askpam@ediets.com and check back often to see if your question is picked.
Are there different fruits and vegetables available for summer?
Good question! During the summer months, there are a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available. Many fruits and vegetables can be purchased year round, but if you can get the fresh varieties as soon as they are picked – it's hard to pass up their delicious taste and flavor!
How many times have you walked past the produce section and thought, ‘Wow, those are expensive?’ Often, that's because those particular items are not necessarily in season or have had to travel a long way -- it can get costly!
Now is the time to get to know your seasonal fruits and veggies. Take advantage of the savings and the nutrition value they provide during these couple of months. So which ones are available? Here are some favorites:
Fruits: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), papaya, peaches, nectarines and pineapple.
Vegetables: asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage (good for coleslaw), cauliflower, cucumber, corn on the cob, eggplant, green beans, summer squash, zucchini and tomatoes.
Here are a few of other ways to add in the summer fruits and vegetables (where to get them and how to use them):
1. Eat more salads: Salads are cool (literally), light and refreshing. There is no better time to add some of those favorite fruits and veggies and create something delicious.
2. Try farmers markets and "u-pick-it" fields: I used to love these when I was a kid! Don’t forget about your local farmers market -- they have a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that often are much cheaper than the grocery store chains. Plus, they often have some unique items you don’t find in the standard produce section.
3. Relish the sun: Not literally, but use those fresh fruits and veggies to make marinades, salsas, relishes…you name it. Get creative or use our summer recipes. Check out our new Summer Fresh Diet Meal Plan!
4. Get out and grill: We've already talked about grilling this summer, but it bears repeating. Nothing says summertime like grilling. Super easy, fast, healthy and limited clean up! Grill those lean meats, fish, and poultry, and don’t forget to add the veggies and fruits to the grill. Make it a complete meal on one rack!
Check out our Online Meeting Weekend Eating Survival Guide at 5 p.m. EST, July 13, 2009. Our Nutrition Support Team will help you work out those weekend meals!
Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.
Looking for a way to make weight loss easier? With personalized meal plans and fitness routines, eDiets can help! Join now and save 25%!
Are there different fruits and vegetables available for summer? Good question! During the summer months, there are a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available. Many fruits and vegetables can be purchased year round, but if you can get the fresh varieties as soon as they are picked – it's hard to pass up their delicious taste and flavor!
How many times have you walked past the produce section and thought, ‘Wow, those are expensive?’ Often, that's because those particular items are not necessarily in season or have had to travel a long way -- it can get costly!
Now is the time to get to know your seasonal fruits and veggies. Take advantage of the savings and the nutrition value they provide during these couple of months. So which ones are available? Here are some favorites:
Fruits: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), papaya, peaches, nectarines and pineapple.
Vegetables: asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage (good for coleslaw), cauliflower, cucumber, corn on the cob, eggplant, green beans, summer squash, zucchini and tomatoes.
Here are a few of other ways to add in the summer fruits and vegetables (where to get them and how to use them):
1. Eat more salads: Salads are cool (literally), light and refreshing. There is no better time to add some of those favorite fruits and veggies and create something delicious.
2. Try farmers markets and "u-pick-it" fields: I used to love these when I was a kid! Don’t forget about your local farmers market -- they have a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that often are much cheaper than the grocery store chains. Plus, they often have some unique items you don’t find in the standard produce section.
3. Relish the sun: Not literally, but use those fresh fruits and veggies to make marinades, salsas, relishes…you name it. Get creative or use our summer recipes. Check out our new Summer Fresh Diet Meal Plan!
4. Get out and grill: We've already talked about grilling this summer, but it bears repeating. Nothing says summertime like grilling. Super easy, fast, healthy and limited clean up! Grill those lean meats, fish, and poultry, and don’t forget to add the veggies and fruits to the grill. Make it a complete meal on one rack!
Check out our Online Meeting Weekend Eating Survival Guide at 5 p.m. EST, July 13, 2009. Our Nutrition Support Team will help you work out those weekend meals!
Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.
Looking for a way to make weight loss easier? With personalized meal plans and fitness routines, eDiets can help! Join now and save 25%!
Labels: ask pam, dieting, nutrition, summer, summer foods, summer fruits, summer veggies
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