Juicy peaches at breakfast, bright red tomatoes at lunch and corn on the cob at dinner. Get ‘em while you can.
Eating fresh local produce is a great way to lose weight and pile on the antioxidants.
“August is one of the best months in Canada when it comes to variety of crops available,” says Tristaca Caldwell, a registered dietitian and owner of Fueling with Food in Halifax.
“There is an abundance of tasty, fresh, nutrient-dense foods available from your local farmer.”
Go for deeply colourful veggies and fruits. Peaches, tomatoes and corn are good sources of antioxidants, fibre, and potassium, says Caldwell.
Peaches and tomatoes are chock full of vitamin C. No wonder we crave them at this time of year.
If you haven’t been to a farmers’ market in a while, now is the time to go, recommends Caldwell.
Fresh, local foods may be higher in antioxidants because they are harvested ripe and ready to eat, whereas foods that have to travel to supermarkets are often picked before maturity. Other local foods available in August are: beans, bok choy, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs, kale, lettuce greens, peppers and radishes.
“It’s a great time of year to replace frozen or canned fruits or vegetables with fresh versions. Save preserved foods for the winter months when fresh options aren’t available,” says Caldwell.
