Summer Produce Yields a Rainbow of Opportunities
Posted: September 15, 2011
Fruits and vegetables are key parts to any diet. Vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, water and phytochemicals are contained in both fruits and vegetables.
Some are excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate or potassium. Fruits and vegetables contain no cholesterol and are naturally low in fat and calories. These features make fruits and vegetables essential for good health by preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
Whatever your reason for enjoying them, whether it's because they invoke summer memories of picnics with watermelon, corn roasts or dad's favorite tomatoes, because of the taste, juiciness or color, for health reasons or simply because they are quick to prepare and easy to eat, be sure to include five or more servings in your diet daily.
Here are a few simple tips from http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
Sauté...
- Cauliflower with nutmeg and oil after pre-steaming for a tasty twist on an old veggie.
- Spinach with garlic and olive oil.
- Green and yellow summer squash with onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. For a different twist, add chopped tomato and basil. A variety of different colored peppers with onion. Serve as a side dish.
Grill...
- Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and tenderloin for the perfect summer kabobs.
- Corn on the cob. Peel and coat in a mix of seasonings such as oregano, pepper, onion and chili powders, and salt with a touch of butter to help it stick. Wrap in aluminum foil and grill until tender.
- Pineapple, peaches or mangos. Top with a dollop of low-fat ice cream, frozen yogurt or sherbet.
- Asparagus and add to a salad of mixed greens, roasted peppers andtoasted nuts.
- Some eggplant, zucchini and portabella mushrooms to use in a wrap.
For a list of the fruits and vegetables in the colors of the rainbow and ideas on how to include these in your meals and snacks, see the following resources:
