Summer is definitely the time of year when produce is at its peak, and there's no reason why we can't get at least 5 servings - and preferably more - of wonderfully fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you!
 
Here are my favorite summertime fruits and veggies. Enjoy!
 
Berries.  Strawberries ripen first, followed by cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Berries are great sources of fiber, folate and vitamin C. Did you know that 8 strawberries contain more vitamin C than one orange? Or that one cup of raspberries has 30% of your daily fiber needs? Berries also are packed with antioxidants, protecting you from cancer and heart disease.
 
 Tomatoes.  Early New England colonists believed tomatoes were poisonous, but today they're one of our most popular foods. Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a phytochemical that helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer. They're also a good source of vitamin C, and high in potassium. Add cherry tomatoes to a shish kabob, hollow out a tomato and stuff with tuna salad, or fire up the blender to make gazpacho loaded with tomatoes and other veggies.
 
Corn.  One ear of sweet corn provides 3 grams of fiber and another 3 grams of protein, plus it contains folate, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. Cooking actually increases the availability of antioxidants in corn.
 
Salads.  Instead of bagged salads, toss together handfuls of arugula, spinach, romaine and other types of greens with chopped veggies. Add fresh berries, melon cubes, or diced pears for flavor and color. Make a salad a meal by topping it with grilled chicken or fish.
 
Plums.  I adore juicy, ripe plums! Two plums equal one serving of fruit, and it's somehow more satisfying to eat two instead of just one! Plums are one of the rare purple/blue fruits that provide essential antioxidants and phytochemicals. In fact, plums have more antioxidants than other fruit except berries.
 

Looking for ways to include these foods in your daily diet? Contact Lynn at Lynn@LynnGrieger.com to set up an appointment!
 

How did summer creep up so fast? If you had great plans to slim down and shape up before bathing suit season hit but never quite kept up with your goals, don't despair! Follow these four easy steps to improve your summertime eating habits and lose weight in the bargain! Pull out that swimsuit and get started:

 

1.  Drink, drink, drink....water! Put away the sodas. Stop buying sweetened fruit beverages. Ignore the advertisements for milkshakes, cold coffee beverages, and iced tea. Choose water instead! Why? Water has zero calories, quenches your thirst better than sweetened beverages, and helps keep our bodies cool in the summertime heat. Try these tactics:

 

-  drink 12-16 ounces of water with every meal
-  bring along a water bottle in the car
-  keep a cooler full of water with you on outings to the beach
-  add a twist of fresh lime or lemon for a zingy taste
-  freeze a water bottle overnight for ice-cold drinking throughout the next morning. Just make sure to leave 1-2 inches of air in the bottle before freezing to prevent accidents in the freezer!
-   keep a pitcher of ice water in the fridge, and drink it all by the end of the day
-   place an 8-10 oz glass on the counter. Every time you walk past, fill it up with water and drink!

2.  Shop farmer's markets for the freshest produce. Not sure what to do with beet greens or eggplant? Ask the farmer at the market, or browse through our recipe finder for great ideas. Make the weekly farmer's market a stop on your busy schedule, and you'll have no excuse for not eating plenty of gorgeous and delicious produce every day.

 

3.  Start your day with a whirl. Of fruit, milk or juice, and ice cubes. Pour everything in the blender, whirl and breakfast is ready in a snap. Try your favorite combination of fresh and frozen fruit, or sample one of our recipes for more ideas. Breakfast - and getting enough fruit in your diet - was never so easy!

 

4.  Think small. Our appetite often decreases when the temperature rises, so take advantage and eat smaller meals. Split a sandwich with a friend, order a cup of soup instead of a bowl, opt for an appetizer portion at dinner instead of an entrée, and if you're indulging in ice cream, ask for the smallest size cone possible. You'll be pleasantly surprised that a smaller portion satisfies hunger just as effectively, and your waistline will definitely thank you!

 
Looking for more personal help with weight loss? Go to www.LynnGrieger.com and find numerous, individualized methods to lose weight.