Your mama was right about a lot of things, but telling you to eat your fruits and vegetables is the best advice she could have given you. Full of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, fresh, non-processed produce is one of the most important keys to giving your body what it needs to thrive.
This week, the challenge is relatively easy—just try something new. Blackberries, jicama, kohlrabi, pomegranate seeds, plums, Brussels sprouts and more are all up for grabs. Your new favorite food could be just a bite away.
If trying a new vegetable isn’t your bag, revisit one that you previously didn’t have a taste for. Not only does our sense of taste adjust as we get older, but you may be surprised at how different a fruit or vegetable tastes when it is in season, ripened naturally, and prepared correctly.
Once you tackle the challenge, keep going! Aim for a fruit or vegetable at every meal (including snack) and keep it full of variety. Here are some tips to amp up your produce intake this summer.
- If you’ve never liked vegetables, try roasting them in the oven. Roasting brings out the vegetables natural sweetness and downplays any bitterness it may have. Perfect ones to try are Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. We promise—it’s a game changer. Try out a few of these roasted veggie combinations.
- Want to get a jump on your daily fruit and veggie intake? Drink a smoothie for breakfast. Here is a great resource for smoothie recipes.
- Need some menu inspiration? Here are 86 summer recipes worth trying.
- Want more specific information? Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about vegetables and fruits, including their specific benefits to the human body and how they are grown.
- Can’t tackle a huge garden? No problem! Vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, and peas love containers, as do fruits like strawberries. Here are some ideas for container gardens.
- Want to get the most antioxidants for your buck? BERRIES. Get them while they are fresh and aim to eat a cup every single day.
- It’s been proven that the best way to wash vegetables and fruits is to rinse or soak them in very cold tap water or distilled water. Make sure to wash produce before you eat it!
Want a fresh pick? Visit our Sioux City Farmer’s Market, where vendors from around the area give you best produce packed with local-grown flavor.