 Produce is health at your fingertips
How much time do you spend in the produce department? Foods don't get more “whole” than most of the stuff you'll find there.
Fruits and veggies are very beneficial foods. They're full of vitamins and will keep you full for very few calories. You can eat most of them hot or cold, which is very handy. When prepared correctly, they offer a much better quick-grab snack than cookies or chips.
And that's the key, isn't it? In order to be consistent, we need something that's convenient.
Here are some quick and easy staples you might want to consider keeping around.
• Apples and bananas are always perfect for a quick grab-and-go snack. Get a banana hanger to help them last longer.
• In-season grapes and cherries are available now. Just rinse them in a colander and place in an open bowl in the refrigerator. Put them in the front so that they are the first thing that everyone sees.
• Many stores have precut melon mixes you can buy to have on hand.
• Carrots and celery are available pre-cut and washed. You can also buy bags of baby carrots to snack on.
• Cucumbers take just a minute to wash, peel and slice. They taste great with a little bit of low-fat sour cream dip or you can add them to your sandwich to make it more filling.
• Cherry tomatoes are always around; just rinse and refrigerate, and they're ready to go.
As we head into summer, the fruits get a lot more exciting and will provide you with a sweet and refreshing treat. Consider swapping out your less-healthful snacks for fruits and veggies. Cut back on the starchy side dishes at dinner and add some cold fruit. It will make a nice change.
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