This is it - this is the time of year we live for! Fruits and vegetables of all kinds are abundant. We’ve got tomatoes, corn, sweet/spicy peppers, green beans, berries, peaches and other stone fruit, melons, cucumber, zucchini and leafy greens and herbs are still plentiful. So many delicious options! July is all about fresh, bold flavors, plentiful produce and shining flavors. That means all your food needs is a touch of grilling, a light sauté or, no cooking at all so those fresh flavors really come through.
Nutrition Message
Nature works in incredible ways! Eating “in-season” fruits + vegetables has a way of taking care of your body. Not only are many of summer’s best foods full of water to keep us hydrated, they also pack antioxidants that are specifically tailored to summer.
Tomatoes and watermelon both contain lycopene, an antioxidant best known for its potential to prevent prostate cancer. BUT this powerful antioxidant also has the ability to protect skin from sun damage (not like ‘now I don’t have to wear sunscreen’ protect your skin, but every little bit counts!) and premature skin aging and puffiness. Lucky for us- tomatoes and watermelon are in season in summer, the time of year we most need sun protection!
Berries, citrus & leafy greens all have Vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that helps fight inflammation (sun exposure, stress, alcohol, not enough sleep and more can all lead to inflammation). And, since it’s summer, we’re all out in the sun more and exposed to plenty of inflammatory activities as we play, swim and grill.
Speaking of grilling, as meats are grilled they form cancer causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). But, of course, our favorite summer foods can help here too: marinating meats in summery herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano and even garlic and ginger can help prevent the formation of HCAs.
Serving grilled meat with plenty of fruits & veggies also helps counteract the effects of the HCAs and supports our body’s ability to detox carcinogens. Think berries, leafy greens, tomatoes and cruciferous veggies like broccoli or cabbage!
