Isn’t it Just Peachy?

One of summer’s delights is biting into a fresh, ripe, sweet, juicy peach.  There is an abundance of this stone fruit available at the farmers markets

It is best to buy ripe peaches since they do not ripen well after picking. Peaches bruise easily so use your whole hand to see if they are slightly soft instead of using your fingertips.  If your peaches are too firm, just let them sit on the counter, bottoms up. Some claim you can speed up the ripening by placing the peaches in a brown paper bag.

Peaches are not only delicious, but nutritious. Several major nutrients, including vitamins A (beta- carotene), C and potassium are packed into each peach. They’re also an excellent source of fiber, good for blood sugar and keeping cholesterol low. A medium-size peach contains only 38 calories, fewer than comparable-sized apples or pears. In addition to being low-calorie, like all fruits and vegetables, peaches are cholesterol-free. They also provide natural plant compounds called flavonoids, which research suggests may help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Eat Smarter…
Vicki Bovee, MS, RDN, LD