The Vitamin Channel
The Beauty of Eating Seasonally!!
The Beauty of Eating Seasonally, The June Edition!!!
We’ve all heard it before, eat seasonally!! But why? The answer has multiple facets.
Eating this way, we can become more aware of what is fresh and what is not. The fact is, if we’re eating nectarines in February, chances are they were ripened artificially, grown in another region of the world, shipped to your neck of the woods, stored in warehouses, then stored in stores, etc.… Not very appealing. Picking fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown where you reside has many benefits. It connects you to nature and helps you get fresh, naturally grown, and healthy produce. It can also stimulate your local economy.
“So How Do I Know What’s In Season?”
The Vitamin Channel’s got you covered! As a matter of fact, this being June, we will talk about seasonal produce pertaining to this month. We won’t stop there. This is The Vitamin Channel after all.
We will also briefly describe what makes the vegetable or fruit worth buying and eating.
So, without any further delay, let’s see the goodies June has for us. Keep this in mind as you read on. First and foremost is your safety.
If you will increase your risk of exposure to Covid-19, read this post, gather from it what you like, but stay home and avoid crowds of potentially sick people. Second, I’ve picked 10 nutritionally noteworthy fruits and vegetables to discuss this month; but, there may be more to consider. Third, many fruits and vegetables are in season for several months, so don’t worry if you catch this article at the end of June or July!
10 Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables to Consider Buying in June.
- Blueberries: These cancer fighting, heart disease battling tiny round packets of sweetness are exceptional this time of year. Visit your local farmers’ market this month, because blueberries are at their peak!! Throw a few packets of blueberries in the freezer. Later, when you’re ready for a cool, sweet snack, pull them out of your freezer and enjoy! If you like smoothies, combine a cup of blueberries with a ripe banana, and a cup of coconut yogurt, sweeten to taste and voila!!!
- Cherries: Long known to be a calming food, cherries help induce sweet slumber in those who consume them. If there was ever a time, we as a society need calming foods, it is now!! Lucky for us, they are in season this month. Cherry pie anyone??
- Cabbage: We all know cabbage helps in weight loss. But, did you also know that cabbage has 35-40 milligrams of calcium in a cup? All this to say, when you eat cabbage, you’re likely to stay lean and thin and maintain strong bones. June is a perfect month to try different varieties of cabbage. By the way, cabbage is a surprisingly good source of Vitamin C. Three ounces have 45 milligrams of Vitamin C. Here’s to strong bones and strong immune systems across the land!!
- Onions: Onions are somewhat elusive, in that, they never taste the same. When you get close to them, they make you cry. Still, we keep coming back for more. Try a few in your salad this month.
- Carrots: A favorite low-calorie snack for ages!! Purchased this time of year, they are amazingly tasty. They are incredibly beneficial for eye health, high in fiber and high in antioxidants. A recipe from my own personal vault: 1 cup carrots, 1 apple, 1/2 mango, 1 tablespoon flaxseedmeal, 1/2 cup cashew milk, ½ cup soymilk. Blend to desired consistency and sweeten to taste. Your taste buds and your health will love it!!
- Cucumbers: Incredibly refreshing and is season. Cucumbers have astonishing benefits for skin. They are low in calories, portable, making them a weight loss snack. They are full of water which is perfect for summer months. They have even been associated with improved digestion, decreased symptoms of heartburn, and decreased nausea.
- Spinach: If weight loss is your goal, you may want to consider increasing your spinach consumption. Not only is spinach high in fiber, which keeps you full longer, it is a very low-calorie food. When you eat this vegetable, your body may burn more calories, than you consume, to digest spinach. It’s important to mention that spinach has been consistently associated with helping lower risk of breast, brain, kidney, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. If that weren’t enough, it is full of minerals your body thrives on and is an all-around calorie poor and nutrient dense food. So, don’t let the fact that you are not a sailorman like Popeye discourage you from eating your spinach!
- Garlic: It has been associated with inhibiting breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. Garlic has so many potent anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Garlic is so beneficial for our bodies, that companies manufacture garlic pills. With all of this, isn’t it easier and cheaper to buy garlic while it’s in season, throw it in a pan/soup/salad of your choice and enjoy the benefits?
- Green Beans: Green beans are a part of the green veggie superhero club! They act as antioxidants, thanks to their high phytochemical compounds. Green beans help regulate blood sugar and keep insulin hormones balanced. They even have a slight cholesterol lowering benefit. According to an article published by the American College of Nutrition, foods like green beans can be beneficial in preventing premature wrinkles!! Therefore it is in our best interest to consume them regularly. A word of advice from The Vitamin Channel: Do not consume canned green beans. They are not fresh, nor in season, are exposed to harmful BPA and are full of preservatives.
- Strawberries: Delicious this time of year and extremely versatile, strawberries can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Strawberries are a great source of Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Magnesium, and Manganese. In fact, strawberries have long been associated with protecting our cells against free-radical damage and preserving cell and tissue health. Strawberries have also been linked to decreasing uric acid and helping prevent gout, known to be very painful and harmful to joint health.
Thanks for spending your time with me.
XOXO,
Dr. Ela
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