It’s convenient to live in an era in which, no matter what time of year it is, the supermarket stocks every variety of produce imaginable. But some experts argue that excessive travel and temperature change wear on most produce, sapping it of vitamins and minerals. By eating only what’s in season and buying it from a local market, you’ll consume more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables and save some money, says Lona Sandon, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
Since summer is fast approaching, check out which fruits and vegetables are fresh in June.
FRUITS
Blueberries
Cherries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
VEGGIES
Asparagus
Beets
Cabbage
Peas
Rhubarb
Broccoli
Lettuce
Radishes
Spinach
SEASONAL ALTERNATIVE
So you don’t live near a farmers’ market and you’re not about to grow your own carrots. Now what? Sandon’s answer might surprise you. “Sometimes, frozen or even canned produce can have a better nutrient value than fresh,” she says. “Unfortunately, canned and frozen produce have gotten a bad rap be- cause of how they were processed years ago, when canned fruit sat in heavy syrup. Now, most canned fruit swims in its own juices, and when they flash freeze produce in the field, it locks in the nutrients.”
