Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

June is the month of fresh fruits and vegetables.  For many of us, summer is approaching and with summer comes many delicious and healthy options.

Your body needs five servings a day of fresh fruit and vegetables to stay healthy.  This year the American Heart Association recommends focusing on adding color to your diet.

Fruits of different colors like bananas, apples, grapes, mangos, peaches, oranges, watermelon and plums add variety. Strawberries and blueberries in season are especially good.

Do you like vegetables?  There are many greens like kale, asparagus, spinach and broccoli that are full of nutrients and they are easy to cook.  

Then you have many varieties of squash available all season.  These are jam packed with goodness.  Try sampling spaghetti, butternut or acorn squash.  All different colors.

You can find so many options either at farmer’s markets or the grocery store.  Additionally look for a farm or coop in your area too. Seasonal vegetables are great.

Fruits and vegetables can lead you to healthy snacks.  Peanut butter and celery, carrot sticks, pears or peanut butter and apple.  If you are worried about sugar intake, pair a fruit with some almonds, nuts or a cheese stick.

You might think it sounds like a lot to try and get five servings of fruits and vegetables in a day but it is manageable.   Start off with oatmeal with fruit, a celery and peanut butter snack, two vegetables with dinner and some fruit for dessert.  That’s five servings!

Private Home Health Care finds great information at the American Heart Association.  Go to this site to learn more about all the good nutrition in fruits and vegetables https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/celebrate-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-month.