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Summertime...A
Great Time to Indulge in
Fresh ProduceBy
Cyndi Schoenhals
“I Hate Diets!”
Weight Loss Program Whether
you have your own garden or purchase your fresh fruits and vegetables from a market,
summertime is a great time to indulge in an unlimited assortment of fresh produce! Fresh
fruits and vegetables, ripened on the vines, are full of flavor and essential
nutrients. They can provide a delicious, healthy way to lose weight, if you’re
dieting. And, even if you aren’t trying to shed pounds, fresh summer produce
enhances any meal. Fresh
Produce=Great Nutrient Source Your
best produce is grown and ripened outdoors in nutrient-rich soil. This is one
of the reasons why summer produce is so much better (more flavorful and more nutritious)
than the hot-house varieties that are available throughout the year. Below
are examples of the wonderful nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables: Blueberries—Great
source of Vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and folate Canteloupe—Good
source of Vitamins A and C - Spinach—Excellent
source of Vitamin A, folate, beta carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and manganese
- Red
tomatoes—beta carotene, alpha carotene, lutein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin
K, and potassium
The
Benefits of Eating Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables Raw
fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients. However, you can still get some
nutritional benefits from cooked produce, as well. Uncooked fruits and vegetables
are generally low in fats and calories. Those which are higher in fats and calories
(i.e. bananas and avocados) are nonetheless quite good for you. In fact, essential
heart-healthy fats (monounsaturated fats) are among the nutrients found in bananas
and avocados. When
you include 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits in your daily
diet, you’ll more likely consume adequate amounts of the nutrients found
in these foods that your body requires for optimal health. Health
benefits derived from including plenty of fresh produce in your diet include (but
are not limited to) the following: Protection
against prostate cancer Protection
against eye disease - Protection
against heart disease and various types of cancer
Lower
cholesterol levels Neutralization
of free radicals, which cause damage to cells - Deceleration
of the aging process
Weight loss
and/or weight maintenance
As
you see from these facts about fruits and vegetables, they can be contributors
to a leaner, healthier you! And, summertime is the perfect time to enjoy many
of these fresh from the garden! |
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