Sweet, glorious spring! It’s that time of year again when the snow is finally gone and everything comes alive once more. You may not get as jazzed for fresh produce as I do, I am a dietitian after all, but I am looking forward to all the spring produce Michigan has to offer – produce like radishes, spring greens, asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb and fresh herbs. What’s more, beginning May 17th, you can find many of these seasonal produce items, and more, at our local Holland Farmers Market from 8 am to 3 pm every Wednesday and Saturday!
For many people, spring can be an incredibly busy time between sports schedules, graduations and those household projects put off over the long winter months. Perhaps the last thing on your mind is figuring out how you can get more fruit and vegetables into your diet, but it’s not hard, and they offer so many positive health benefits! Did you know the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables have the ability to reduce your risk for certain diseases including heart disease, hypertension and some cancers?
Fruit and vegetables are rich in so many nutrients like fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Each of these nutrients plays a vital role in contributing to the body’s normal function. For example, 1 ½ cups of fresh spinach contains approximately 20% of your recommended daily amount of fiber. Why do we need fiber, you ask? Fiber is necessary to promote gut health, lower cholesterol and make us feel full longer. A diet rich in fiber has been shown to be beneficial in preventing certain types of cancers, lowering the risk of heart disease and regulating the insulin response in those with type 2 diabetes.
Bust out of your winter eating rut with some healthy and quick spring produce recipes, like asparagus with lemon Dijon sauce or strawberry feta salad. Spring is the perfect time to incorporate more fresh produce into your diet. For more ideas on what’s in season now and how to prepare it, check out: fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org