Summertime Eating

Summertime - That wonderful, warm season that beckons us to spend every possible moment outdoors, including mealtimes. But, often, casual summertime dining experiences are wrought with over-processed and fat-saturated foods. Does munching on cheese puffs and chips while at the beach, slapping hotdogs on the grill for a BBQ, or grabbing a ready-made potato salad from the deli sound like a familiar summertime activity? If so, beware! These summer foods can all be laden with preservatives, food coloring, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

Summer is a time of plentitude, but that doesn’t have to lead to unhealthy eating. A delicious way to indulge in summer’s plenitude without overwhelming the body- or your bathing suit- is by enjoying plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are the number one provider of phytonutrients and vitamins. Your body needs vitamins in order to function. Since your body cannot produce vitamins of its own accord, you must obtain them from the foods you eat.

When you buy seasonal produce, you not only save money and support local farmers, but you also prepare the best tasting meals since the ingredients are so fresh. If you don’t have a local farmers’ market near you, no problem. You can print this handy dandy list and take it into any supermarket to guide your shopping.

Summer Vegetables (not all inclusive):

• Radishes

• Arugula

• Cucumber

• Beets

• Bell Peppers

• Carrots

• Zucchini

• Garlic

• Corn

• Rhubarb

• Okra

• Squash

Summer Fruits (not all inclusive):

• Apricots

• Plums

• Cherries

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Nectarines

• Strawberries

• Peaches

• Tomatoes

• Passion Fruit

• Melon

• Cantaloupe

• Watermelon

There are so many summer fruits and veggies to delight in and it’s also fun, and remarkably inexpensive, to purchase them from your local farmer’s market.

Karina Koltai is a Certified Holistic Wellness Coach specializing in digestive and vocal health. She is available for personal consultations, workshops, seminars and media appearances.

Schedule your complimentary 30 minute Heal Your Gut Assessment at www.karinakoltai.com so you can get the support and guidance you need to get to the root of your biggest health challenges.