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| Tuesday, August 03, 2010 |
| Slimming Summer Produce |
One of the best ways to stay healthy and keep that bathing suit body all summer long is to make seasonal fruits and vegetables the focus of your meals. Make these the largest items on your plate and add small portions of lean protein, fish, whole grains and beans or legumes to complete the meal. Enjoy colorful salads, grilled vegetables and a variety of fresh summer fruits. This will not only help you cut down on calories but will increase your intake of disease fighting nutrients and fiber to help you feel full.
Here are some of my favorite summer fruits and vegetables:
Bell Peppers
I buy bell peppers all year round, but in the summer I love to get a bag of the small, colorful sweet peppers and put them on the grill. Just wash, spray/brush with a little olive oil and throw them right on the grill. I also love to eat them raw. I’m actually chomping on some right now. Dip in hummus or low fat dressing for a light crunchy snack.
Bell peppers offer colorful protection from free radicals. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid and vitamin B6. Their powerful mix of nutrients can help boost immunity, guard against cataracts and macular degeneration and protect against heart disease and cancer.
Watermelon
Watermelon is one of my favorite summer snacks! It’s the perfect healthy fruit to indulge in if you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight It’s sweet, juicy flesh is low in calories, high in fiber and packed with water to help hydrate on those hot summer days. Watermelon is also high in lycopene, which has been show to have powerful antioxidant properties and rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production.
Watermelon can be eaten alone or in a fruit salad. Try freezing it for an extra refreshing treat. You can even make a salad using watermelon, thin sliced red onion, balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette, salt and pepper or a cold summer soup with a puree of watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi and a dollop of plain yogurt.
Figs
I love figs! Although dried figs are available year round, there is nothing like the unique taste and texture of fresh figs available in the summer. They remind me of being at my grandparent’s house. They had a fig tree on their back porch and I can still remember how good they tasted. I’ve actually been eating fresh California figs (available from June to September) everyday for the past week! We bought a big container of them at Costco. Figs are not only lusciously sweet, but are also a good source of fiber, potassium, calcium and manganese.
Snap Beans
Snap beans, also called green, string, yellow or wax beans, are available in stores year round, but are at their peak in summer. Snap beans are low in calories, high in fiber and a good source of beta-carotene. Our bodies use beta-carotene to make vitamin A, a nutrient important for vision, immune function and skin and bone health. Snap beans can be boiled, steamed, sautéed or added to stir-fry and salads.
Focus on fresh summer produce to help you stay healthy and slim this summer! What are some of your favorite summer fruits and veggies?
- Lauren
If you like this article, you might also enjoy…
Sensei Talks: We Need More Watermelon!
Sensei Talks: Guilt Free Summer Treats Labels: healthy eating, Lauren
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posted by My Sensei @ Tuesday, August 03, 2010   |
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YUM is all I have to say!!!! I am talking watermelon Sunday! :-) Actually, in some of my links tomorrow, they talk watermelon...
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YUM is all I have to say!!!! I am talking watermelon Sunday! :-) Actually, in some of my links tomorrow, they talk watermelon...