Garden Fresh Recipes for Summer

Try these recipes this summer

The American Heart Association recommends 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables each day. If you're trying to boost your intake of fruits and veggies, there's no better time than summer. Farms and gardens are full of flavorful, fresh produce. Try these tips and recipes to get started.

Pack your lunch with fruit

It's easy to overlook lunch between managing work and family, but when you skip lunch or choose fast food, it can have an impact on your health over time.  Instead of skipping lunch, prepare colorful salads ahead of time.

Strawberry Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Kale Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans

    Try something new for dinner

    Vegetables and fruit are high in fiber and vitamins that your body needs. At mealtimes, fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Try these other suggestions to make sure your plate is full of flavor and low-fat items.

    • Add veggies and fruits to your dishes. For example, peaches go well with casseroles or chicken.

    • Buy fruits and vegetables you haven't tried before, like plantains or star fruit.

    • Try mixtures of fruit juice, tomato juice, and lemon juice. Citrus juice helps boost flavor.

    • Grilling vegetables adds a different layer of flavor than other cooking methods.

    Looking for some inspiration? Try these honey-glazed peaches for dinner. It only takes 45 minutes, and peaches are in season from late July to September in South Central regions of the United States. To enjoy year-round, peaches can be canned or stored in the freezer.

    Honey-glazed Peaches Over Seared Chicken

    Snacks can be healthy too

    Aim for snacks that are high in nutrients and low in salt, sugar, and fat. The next time you want a snack, try Mixed Berries with Berry Cream. It only takes 10 minutes and is easy to make. With coconut milk, vanilla extract. Berries provide antioxidants that help protect against cancer, heart disease, joint pain, and illnesses. Small fruits are great sources of Vitamins A, B, and C, fiber and iron.

    Mixed Berries with Berry Cream

    Track your food on My HealtheVet

    Remember: Most fruits are seasonal, so you can try new recipes throughout the year. In My HealtheVet's Track Health feature, you can track everything you eat and be more aware of your choices. Tracking the foods you choose can help you understand your eating habits better. To learn more, try your hand at this short quiz to test your fruit and vegetable know-how.

    Please vote in our unscientific poll. All responses are anonymous.