Even in a world of globalized grocery shopping where every type of food is constantly available in North America, there’s nothing like eating fresh produce that’s in season. Food that doesn’t have to travel as far to reach your table tends to taste better.
With summer around the corner, let’s examine some fresh, locally grown food that older adults should incorporate into their diet.
Watermelons
A ripe watermelon is something so spectacular, it almost feels like biting into moisture! There’s a light but firm crunch with every bite and you can feel your body becoming more hydrated with a really juicy watermelon. Ontario residents are fortunate in that this province is home to many watermelon growers.
Seniors should take advantage of the watermelon’s essential nutrients. Eating watermelon helps improve digestion, boosts weight management, and can improve heart health. They’re delicious cut up into cubes and eaten with feta, alongside other sliced fruit in a colourful platter or skewer, or on their own.
Watermelons are a very summery fruit. Revel in the seasonal flavours and health benefits while you can.
Apricots
Don’t confuse apricots with their larger cousin, the peach. Apricots are slighter than peaches but share the same charming fuzzy texture and appearance. They tend to be a little tarter and less plump than peaches because they have less sugar and water content.
Apricots provide the flavonoids that older adults need, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and inflammatory illnesses. They also help reduce your risk for obesity, diabetes, and other heart diseases.
Older adults living in leading community centres like All Seniors Care don’t need to make healthy meal plans because there are professional cooks to do it for them. They understand what seniors need from a nutritional standpoint and create delicious, balanced meals that provide all the components of a healthy diet.
Eat all the wonderful meals and fresh produce with friends in a warm atmosphere every day without having to worry about grocery shopping, cooking, or cleaning up.
Small treats like apricots are grown locally around Ontario, so keep an eye open at your local grocery store or farmer’s market.
Strawberries
Perhaps the quintessential berry, strawberries provide a surprising amount of the antioxidant vitamin C. Strawberries are also packed with fibre, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and manganese. However, a cup of strawberries is only 50 calories.
In other words, there are no drawbacks to eating this beautiful looking, delicious tasting fruit. Strawberries are grown all over Ontario. You can find imported strawberries from places like California, but it’s always better to eat fresher food harvested from a nearby farm. Some places even encourage you to make a day of picking strawberries you can take home later and eat. It doesn’t get much fresher than that.
Eating well is important during all phases of life, but people need to adjust their diet over time to ensure it suits their body as it changes. Eat whatever fruit you enjoy most, but remember that the fresher it is, the better it tastes and the healthier it’ll be.
