Summer Nutrition Tips & Recipes
Summer can place the kind of demands on the body and metabolism that are more typically experienced by professional athletes. That's why nutritionists at the Jewish Home recommend that seniors take a few simple steps to improve health, wellness, and energy through heightened dietary awareness.
By following these tips, you and your loved ones can also take advantage of the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables available throughout the season.
Going light. One easy way to prepare healthy, delicious meals is to experiment with raw or minimally-cooked produce. Many summer fruits and vegetables contain wonderfully high concentrations of antioxidants and natural fiber to improve digestion. By consuming fruits and vegetables raw, you also retain nutrients that are often lost in cooking or boiling. Additionally, the flavor of lightly-prepared vegetable combinations is so satisfying it takes just a small amount of oils, starches, or meats to tie them all together.
Staying hydrated. In addition to avoiding ailments such as heat stroke, drinking plenty of liquids helps digestion, improves metabolism, and provides a natural energy boost. What's more, staying hydrated plays a significant role in hair and skin health. Add a little lemon or a mint leaf to your water to dress it up and keep it appealing.
Getting your potassium. Potassium-rich foods include bananas, cantaloupe, almonds, and dairy products, which play a significant role in muscle and nerve functions. The body's supply can become depleted quickly through perspiration, so be sure to keep foods rich in this vital mineral present in your summer diet.
Here are some great recipes to try out this summer: Smoked Salmon, Red Onion & Roma Tomato Bruschetta as an appetizer, the California Mediterranean Salad as a side dish, Pescada a La Veracruzana for the main course, and for dessert, Strawberry Granita. Bon appétit!