Summer is finally here! It is time to get outside, get moving and absorb some vitamin D. While you’re enjoying the sun, you can add even more nutrients by eating some summer superfoods while they are available fresh, locally.
Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center tells us superfoods are not only great for your diet, they can help increase your immunity and your energy. She says, “The nutrients and antioxidants in superfoods can help you fight cancer, cardiovascular disease and even liver disease.”
Rachel recommends adding these seven superfoods to your summer meal planning:
- Tomatoes – Try different types of tomatoes throughout the season. The local farmers markets should have a selection, or you can grow your own.
- Berries – Different berries are ripe throughout the summer. You can start with strawberries, then move on to blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries.
- Dark greens – Don’t reach for the iceberg lettuce, instead try kale, spinach, beet greens, collard greens, and chard.
- Peaches – When in season, local peaches are juicy and easy to find. Add them to salads, smoothies or just eat them as a snack.
- Cauliflower – Cauliflower can be riced and used in stir-fry or you can make pizza crust.
- Melons – After the berries have left the farmers markets, you will be able to find cantaloupe, watermelon and even honeydew.
- Zucchini – Grill zucchini with some olive oil or make it into noodles and substitute it for pasta.
If you are really ambitious, you can plant a garden with superfoods and get exercise while you fill your kitchen pantry.
If you need help keeping your weight goals on track, talk to your primary care physician or schedule an appointment at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center by calling (859) 212-4625.
