Summer Produce for Healthy Eating

The best summer produce is crisp, fresh and tasty. When the mercury rises, the last thing you want to do is turn on that oven. That's why finding summer produce is so crucial for anyone - from a mommy to a corporate executive - to do. Here's a run down of what to look for, and how to select the most delicious summer produce.

Savory Tastes

Savory tastes are hearty and salty. When it's sweltering out there, it's highly unlikely that you want to eat something really filling...but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying some fresh produce. Summer squash, butternut squash, and red potatoes are all filling and healthy, yet light enough to keep you from feeling that horrendous "blah" feeling experienced after eating certain non-produce based dishes.

Another light and savory treat is to purchase fresh tomatoes and cut them into large chunks. Cut cubes of fresh mozzarella cheese and toss them together with some Italian dressing. This is a delicious savory summer treat.

Fresh Snacks

Fresh snacks include snow peas, green and wax beans, as well as carrots, broccoli, and all your favorite vegetables. Purchase them raw, wash them well, and eat them that way. Dip them in ranch dressing or coat them lightly with Italian dressing.

Sweet Treats

Sweet treats are my personal favorite. While I will wander endlessly through the vegetable rows in the produce section, not picking up so much as a summer squash, I will place boxes of berries in my basket all day long. Blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and raspberries all taste great diced up and mixed with fat-free cool whip and served up with a hunk of angel food cake.

Where to Purchase

The grocery store isn't my favorite place to purchase fresh produce, but I will if I absolutely have to. My favorite place to go is farmer's market, where you can meet local people who have planted and harvested the produced. It tastes a lot better than some of the larger co-operatives that plant a large quantity of produce, then ship it miles away. The locals don't use preservatives. Larger co-ops do.

Eating summer produce is a delicious way to stay healthy. Whether you need something savory or sweet there's a fresh home-grown treat for you.