Summer offers variety of seasonal produce to try

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — When you think of summer foods, you might think of hot dogs on the grill and frozen ice cream.

But this time of year, there is also a wide variety of healthy produce to choose from.

Kettering Health Dietitian Katie Conrad McCoy demonstrates how to make one of her favorite in-season summer treats.

“A fruit-forward sorbet,” Conrad McCoy explains. “Low in added sugar, it’s mostly just fruit and a little coconut milk, and so it’s a really health dish you can have at the end of the day.”

Conrad McCoy says this sorbet is an example of how you can get creative with how you eat produce.

“You get to be the chef in your kitchen. You get to decide how you want to make stuff taste good for you,” Conrad McCoy said.

The summer time makes it a little bit easier to eat more produce, which comes with important health benefits.

“You’re likely to get more flavorful items. There’s more options because everything is in growing season right now,” Conrad McCoy said. “So the taste is better because it’s freshly picked. You’re likely to get peak nutrient content.”

Right now, stone fruits are coming into season.

“Starting about now and will probably last through most of August, maybe a little bit in September,” said Conrad McCoy. “Things like apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums.”

Conrad McCoy says that no matter the time of year, always aim to eat a colorful array of fruits and vegetables.

“There’s different antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals that are either higher or lower in each color of fruit and vegetable. So as much as possible, eat the rainbow,” Conrad McCoy said.

If you’re interested in coming to one of the Gem City cooking classes or a Bite Into Nutrition class at Cassano Health Center, you can find class listings online at ketteringhealth.org/events or call 937-558-3988.

View Katie’s recipe for Strawberry Peach Sorbet below:

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