Making the most of seasonal summer food
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If there is one thing I love about summer, it’s the proliferation of seasonal, homegrown food items that crop up everywhere. It’s true, we are now used to being able to purchase fruit, veg and other items in supermarkets all year round but these have usually been imported and have undergone some sort of treatment to keep them fresh until they hit the shelves, resulting in loss of flavour, nutrients and a price increase.
How many times have you passed a summer farmer’s market or roadside stand and seen fresh strawberries, tomatoes, new potatoes and other summer fruit and vegetables on offer? Better still, how many times have you stopped to buy? There is nothing to beat the taste of a newly-picked strawberry or a sun-warmed tomato straight from the vine. Best of all, these roadside stands and markets usually sell their food at keen prices so it’s worth enjoying these foods while they are in season and are so readily available. It’s fresh, home-produced and hasn’t travelled thousand of miles. Best of all, you are helping the local economy which is always a good thing.
One of my fondest childhood memories is of going to a farm where we could pick our own fruit. I can still close my eyes and feel the sun on my back and smell the distinctive fragrance of strawberries in the air…. and the taste! I was also lucky enough to have a lane full of bramble bushes and trees at the back of my house and many late summer/autumn days were spent snacking on blackberries and beech nuts while playing. These days my mother, a keen gardener, keeps me well supplied with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers from her greenhouse and really, there is nothing to rival the taste. If you’re a gardener yourself, then you know how rewarding it can be to enjoy produce that you have worked hard to grow.
Fruit and veg that are commonly in season during the summer are as follows: Strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, artichokes, beetroot, broccoli, peas, rocket, tomatoes, watercress and new potatoes to name but a few. These are all high in nutrients and can be easily added into your plan. Think of a smoothie blended with fresh summer fruits or served with a dollop of low-fat yoghurt. Summer salads with garden-grown tomatoes, lettuce and scallions or gently steamed new potatoes and green beans with a pinch of mint or parsley. Meat and fish need not be left out either. Lamb is commonly in season in summer and instead of indulging in ice-cream or chips at the seaside, why not treat yourself to a pot of shellfish or a fresh crab salad? Seaside towns usually have plenty of fish shops where locally caught produce can be purchased so taking home some freshly caught fish for tea can be a real treat.
Taking advantage of seasonal foods is a delicious and highly nutritious way to enjoy summer eating. It’s also easier on your pocket and supports the local economy so make the most of your summer foods while they last.
Jennifer Roche
Kind regards,
Niamh O'Grady
My Page
Haelsome Parritch the chief of Scotia's Food - your diet strikes me as a bit high on the carbohydrates - you certainly like the sheer wholesomeness of the food you eat - so did I but I put on a lot of weight and had to try Low-Carb which was successful to a point but - perhaps I have stuck - so week after this one I may change - best of luck to you - I wish you success diet is not necessarily about eating LESS - it may be about eating DIFFERENTLY
Comment by PATRICIAENOLA -
Hi NAYSHIFTIN, have you visited the member's forums? It's not exactly a chat site but it's a great place to meet and share tips and tales with other members. We also have a mentor's forum where you can get answers to any questions you might have. If you are on Facebook, you could always check out our Tesco Diets facebook page too.
Comment by JENROCHE -
I've really enjoyed reading this article so much so that it makes me want to pop on out and start growing my own fruit and veg.
Comment by NIAMH1978 -
Hi Jennifer. I love the fresh fruit at this time of the year makes the rainbow fruit salad very colourful as well as yummy. Hilary
Comment by HILARYSLOAN -
I think we all start overwhelmed by all this but hopefully it will become easier. I wish there was a chat site like the other diets have.
Comment by NAYSHIFTIN -
Hello PARRITCHMAKER. What exactly is your question? If it's about the meal plans being too elaborate then maybe you need to choose a different plan. You may prefer to follow the Totals plan which will allow you to choose the food you want to eat yourself. Can you email me with your query please? My email address is jennifer.roche@tescodiets.com
Comment by JENROCHE -
Hi Help....I eat very simply. Porridge for breakfast with two tablespoons natural yogurt (not low fat) Berries. Drink of plain herbal tea.
Lunch. Sardines and tomato salad with slice of toast and some fruit more herbal tea
Dinner. grilled meat and maybe a big veg stir fry with nuts and plain ice cream.
Snacks mainly consist of oatcakes. maybe 4 - 6 per day. Add to that some olives, avocado, olive oil and fresh veg soup.
My portions are generous...When I look at the diet plans I find them a tad elaborate....HELP! I think this is not the right place for this question!
Comment by PARRITCHMAKER -