Happy Summer!!!! It is June 21st the first official day of Summer, and the longest day of the year. To help you beat the heat and the long day below are three Super Foods I turn to on the regular.
Summer Squash – This Super Food is filled with vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and fiber making it a great food in helping to prevent cancers, heart disease and diseases caused by inflammation such as arthritis and asthma. If you are trying to lose weight or just adapt some healthier habits, summer squash's rich fiber content can help you get full faster while still providing many of the nutrients you need.
How to Prepare: There are many ways to prepare summer squash, grill, sauté, roast, or my personal favorite turn it into a healthy pasta dish! I like to julienne squash into long shreds and then I sauté in a pan with a little extra virgin olive oil until it gets soft and takes on the look of pasta. This is a great way to eat your favorite pasta dish without all of the carbohydrates and is a lighter option for summer, or all year round. Need a julienne peeler, try out the OXO version.
Carrots – Bugs Bunny had the right idea munching on carrots all day, he was loading up Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision.
How to Prepare: Have them as a snack, baby carrots or regular either way you are doing your body a favor. Shred them into a salad, roast them or steam them, like I mentioned you can’t go wrong adding this orange treat to your diet.
Figs – This tasty treat is one of my summer favorites and they happen to be full of calcium, potassium fiber and iron. While figs do contain some calories, they are extremely low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol making them an ideal choice.
How to Prepare: Eat them plain or add them to any salad. A personal favorite of mine, wrapping them in a thin piece of prosciutto with a little vinegar on top. When shopping for figs be sure to check that the skin is intact and that they are not to mushy.
Be sure to check out my past Super Food Entries:
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