5 In-Season Foods to Add to Your Basic Food List this August

The start of a new month means its time to look over our food list, adding in new foods try and possibly even taking some off the menu for awhile.

5 Must Eat Foods To Add to Your Food List

There are many benefits to frequently changing up your food list. Not only can it add a little excitement to your meal plan, but hopefully it will also provide you with more opportunity to get all the nutrients your body needs. After all, every food is different and offers up it’s own unique blend of nutrients necessary for good health.

If you aren’t quite sure what foods to add to your list this month, here are a few foods in-season here in Michigan that you may enjoy adding into your meal plan. These five in-season foods are favorites of mine and can add fun flavor and variety to your favorite summery meals.

Cantaloupe
Best ways to prepare:
How to Prepare a Cantaloupe (PopSugar)
The benefits:  Believe it or not, cantaloupe is very diverse in the nutrients it offers. Its an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C, a very good source of potassium, and a good source of many B vitamins, vitamin K, magnesium and fiber. You’ll even find a little omega-3 fatty acids in there and a wealth of phytonutrients to boot!

Cantaloupe and Blackberry Parfait

This powerhouse hasn’t hit the research spotlight quite yet though. Given its great nutrient package, you can be sure its an asset to your diet this time of year.

Related Recipe: Blackberry and Cantaloupe Parfait

Cauliflower
Best ways to prepare:
Give roasting it a try – its my favorite way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. Sauteing and steaming are two other great methods that will help retain the nutrients of this veggie too.
The benefits: Cauliflower has a subtler flavor than most veggies, making it an easy favorite at the dinner table. Most people can enjoy this veggie in some shape or form, and when they do, they are loading up on important antioxidantsand phytonutrients necessary to keep the body functioning at peak peformance.

Sweet Corn
Best ways to prepare: 3 Easy Ways to Cook Corn on the Cob (the Kitchn)
The benefits: Believe it or not, corn is a great addition to your diet. Because of it’s more starchy nature, it sometimes gets a bad wrap as a less-than-healthy sort of food, but in reality it has a lot to offer. Not only is corn rich in fiber, but it’s also loaded with nutrients that help promote healthy vision.

Plums
Best ways to prepare: How to Prepare a Plum (Jamie Oliver’s You Tube Channel)
The benefits: Plums are another flavorful fruit that can help your meal plan stay fresh and flavorful during the dog days of summer. Because of their rich vitamin C content, they’ll help you better absorb iron. Their soluble fiber can also help regulate blood sugar and help your meal feel more satisfying. Thanks plums!

Black Bean and Feta Cheese Quesadillas with a Peach Plum and Avocado Salsa

Related Recipe: Black Bean and Feta Quesadillas with Peach Plum and Avocado Salsa

Tomatoes
Best ways to prepare:
How to Cook Tomatoes (Better Homes and Gardens)
The benefits: When you think tomato, you really should be thinking health. Tomatoes are rich in nutrition – from traditional vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum, and potassium, to a vast array of phytonutrients, tomatoes are a wellness powerhouse. Studies have shown that when you eat tomatoes, good things happen – promoting heart health, bone health, and reducing cancer risk, incorporating tomatoes into your day is, for most people, a really good idea.

This August, consider rotating in at least one or two of these foods into your regular rotation of foods. Not only will it help keep your meals interesting, but it will ensure you continue to get a good mix of nutrients your body needs.

 

 

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