Eating fruits and vegetables seems easier during summer months when fresh, locally grown produce is available.  Even though most fruits and veggies can be found at the grocery store year round, they may not be as exciting as fresh, summer produce.  It is just as important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in the winter.

It is best to choose fruits and veggies that are in season.  When they are in season they look better, taste better, and are just overall more appealing.  Brussels sprouts, clementines, grapefruit and kale are just a few of the tasty fruits and vegetables in season during winter months.  One of my favorite resources for all things fruit and veggie is Fruits and Veggies More Matters.  You can find their  full list of seasonal fruits and veggies by clicking here.    In addition to a list of what is in season, their website has a fantastic database of delicious recipes for almost any type of produce you can think of!

Keep in mind that frozen, canned, and dried fruits and veggies are just as great of an option as fresh.  It is more important that you eat them than how you eat them.  I find it is best to just keep it simple.  Don’t over think how you’ll prepare your fruits and vegetables.  Just make sure to include some at every meal.  For breakfast add some sliced bananas to your toast or oatmeal, mix broccoli with your eggs, or add canned pineapple to your yogurt.  At lunchtime, try a spinach salad topped with mushrooms, tomatoes, apples, or mandarin oranges.  Try making stir fry or a rice pilaf for dinner with plenty of zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and peppers.  Last, but not least make an apple crisp for dessert or treat yourself to a berry smothie.

Make the choice today to make fruits and vegetables a priority at meal time.  Get started by trying Berry Fruit Salad.  Enjoy!

Click on the recipe card for a printable version.

Candi Merritt

Certified Nutrition Education Assistant

Resources:

fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

nutrition411.com