Hey everyone, welcome to this month's blog! I can’t believe its May already, is it even possible that the months this year are simultaneously going fast and slow? One thing I am personally thankful for is that we have had so much sun; it’s so bright and certainly brings a bit of cheer. Plenty of sun (and some rain!) is also great news for our seasonal crops. Eating seasonally has so many benefits – they are fresher, less expensive, and not to mention absolutely delicious.
Here are some fruits and veggies that are in season this month, along with their nutritional characteristics and ways to introduce them:
Asparagus
Asparagus is high in antioxidants and is full of healthy vitamins and minerals, such as fibre, vitamins A, C, E and K and folate. It's also a great source of copper, an essential trace mineral that aids in collagen formation (so great for your skin!), energy production and iron absorption. Asparagus stalks are great grilled in a little oil and salt, or dipped into runny egg yolk!
Peppers
Red peppers spend the most time on the vine, and as a result carry lots more nutrition. As peppers grow, they cycle through all of the pepper colours you see – from green to yellow, to orange and then red. Compared to green bell peppers, the red ones have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body which is essential for good eye health. Peppers are super versatile; they can be eaten raw, grilled, fried, or oven baked. They’re great in a salad, or in a pasta sauce!
Strawberries
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, manganese, folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. Like most berries, strawberries are very rich in antioxidants, which can prevent the development of heart disease and cancer.
If you grow your own strawberries and find yourself with an abundance of them, or want to try them in a new way, give this strawberry crumble recipe a go! https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/strawberry_and_almond_38519
So give seasonal eating a go! These fruits and veggies will be easier to find in the supermarkets than out of season ones especially during the lockdown. Stay safe and stay healthy!
Toni ☺
Toni Walsh is our resident Dietetic Assistant and works locally for the NHS. A huge shout out to the rest of our WFC NHS and Key workers - whatever you do, we are hugely grateful for you.
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