Summertime...A Great Time to Indulge in
Fresh Produce

By 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:

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:

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!