Vitamin rich spring foods

Since soon we’ll be welcoming summer, no wonder it’s getting warmer so heavy winter diet should definitely be shown the door. Instead, let us turn to the food currently in season, such as strawberries, asparagus, broad beans, cherries and scallions. We can benefit greatly from that, and achieve the figure of our dreams. Significant improvements will be noted when it comes to our budget too. The reason is simple – these foods are now in the season which means there’ll be no shortage of them, and no shortage of reasonable prices too. In other words, many fruits and vegetables to choose from at affordable prices leave no room for avoiding healthy diet.

TASTY STRAWBERRIES

This year markets are full of strawberries which are rich in vitamin C. Get this, a cup of this delicious fruit contains only 50 kcal.

If you happen to be struggling with those days of the month, and you can’t seem to stay away from your stash of sweets, treat yourself to a chocolate fondue. Melt a little bit of dark chocolate, and enjoy dipping strawberries in it. It’s scientifically proven that dark chocolate is very healthy. So by mixing fruit and dark chocolate, you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without taking it one step too far.

SCALLIONS

If you have a date night scheduled today, stay clear of scallions. Although healthy, they are a synonym for bad breath. Otherwise, scallions are very beneficial. They can help you lose those extra pounds you put on during winter. Moreover, they contain a compound called allicin which creates that feeling of fullness and prevents you from overeating. You can serve scallions chopped with a salad or fritaja (Mediterranean dish) with asparagus. It’s also a great ingredient for sauces which you can prepare on your own. Mix Greek yoghurt, a little bit of garlic, finely chopped onion and add some salt, pepper and lemon juice. Serve with potatoes halves previously baked in the oven on parchment paper without grease.

SWEET CHERRIES

The strong antioxidant effect this fruit is known for will strengthen your immune system during this change of seasons when we’re more prone to infections caused by temperature oscillations. A handful of succulent cherries will sweeten up your day, and you don’t have to worry about excessive weight either. You see, cherries are low-calorie fruits – only 4 kcal per fruit. Moreover, they have high water content, zero fat, rich potassium and anti-age vitamin (A, B, C) levels. Forget about including them in different strudels and desserts, and start eating them fresh.

IT’S BROAD BEAN SEASON

Broad bean is a nutritious Mediterranean pulse which is, sadly, in season only for a short period of time. Rich in B vitamin complex, dietary fiber, protein and iron, it does wonders for your physique. It’s also a perfect ingredient for pasta, whole-grain pasta that is. You can serve it with other pulses such as lentils, chickpeas or peas. Broad beans are an excellent side dish for grilled chicken breast.

And finally, remember that the most important thing is to choose healthy foods, that is, go with those in season and diversify.

Translation: A. Slišković