Your guide to summer fruit and vegies

Summer brings us long, warm days to enjoy with our friends and family, but also brings a bounty of Australian-grown fresh fruit and vegetables to the table.  From juicy and flavoursome fruits to crisp vegetables, the summer season presents plenty of produce that will delight your taste buds and support a healthy diet.

Choosing seasonal produce offers many benefits, including:  

• Less expensive – plenty of supply means that produce will be at its cheapest.
• Fresh and nutritious – they have more flavour and nutrients compared to produce that has been stored over several months.
• It’s good for the environment and supports Australian farmers.

Mangoes, cabbage, celery, lettuce and potatoes are all in season during summer.

Magnificent Mangoes

If you had to describe summer as a fruit – then you can’t go past the Aussie mango. They are delicious, packed with vitamin C and oh so versatile.  Try these ideas:

• Perfect as a healthy snack on their own
• Chop and freeze, then blend into a smoothie for a refreshing drink
• Add slices to a crisp summer salad for some extra sweetness
• Ideal in a fruit salad parfait for a light dessert on a hot night  

Sensational salads

The summer months make it easy to get your five-a-day vegetable serving.  Salads can be used as a sandwich filling, a side dish or a main meal.  Check out our top three salads to try this summer.

• Coleslaw – quick and easy and a great addition to a BBQ or sandwiches and wraps.

• Waldorf salad – with crunchy juicy celery, this is a classic and underrated salad.  A must try this summer!

• Potato salad – cold potatoes are a good source of resistant starch which is good for your gut.  So, pop a spoon of this salad on your plate today!

Your guide to what’s in season for summer.

For more ideas visit the Healthy Lunch Box website.