As the temperatures soar, you find yourself gravitating to refreshing fruits and vegetables. And if you want to slim down this summer, you’ve just found the recipe for weight loss. Produce is more than 90 percent water, making it a nutritious way to hydrate. its fiber and nutrients fight fat, and a produce-packed plate leaves less room for higher-calorie foods. Research shows that one of the most important factors in helping us feel full is the volume or amount of food we eat. Dense, low-energy foods like fruits and vegetables fill up your plate and your stomach—but not your waistline.
Four ways to slim down with summer produce:
Your guide to a healthier, happier you
Sign up for the St. Louis Wellness newsletter and get practical tips for a balanced, healthy life in St. Louis.
FREEZE IT. Freeze brown bananas for smoothies. Add frozen berries to your morning breakfast cereal. Savor frozen grapes after dinner. For summer parties, blend watermelon with fresh mint and freeze in ice trays, then add the cubes to water or iced tea.
BLEND IT. Smoothies are the perfect way to enjoy a variety of produce in one glass. Check out this STL MOMS interview for three simple smoothie ideas. Blended cold soups are perfect summer meal starters. Gazpacho, a cold tomato soup, can be prepared in minutes.
BOIL IT. Frozen vegetables are just as healthy as fresh. For a quick dinner idea, add frozen vegetables to boiling pasta water 2–3 minutes before draining the pasta. Blanch the veggies in the pasta water for a few minutes, drain, and add sauce. A bowl that’s half veggies and half pasta will fill you up with far fewer calories than a bowl of pasta.
LEAVE IT. Fresh summer fruits and vegetables just need simple enhancers like oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to enhance their natural goodness.
