Mental Monday

What Not to Eat Right Now

This season's bounty may be impressive, but some produce that isn't in season can be pricier, clocks frequent flyer miles (increasing your carbon footprint) and lacks flavor since it's not at its peak just yet.

You know it's summer when the produce section of your local supermarket or fruit stand is bursting with fruits and vegetables – berries, fruits, melons, summer, corn, snow peas, zucchini, bell peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Although opting for variety will ensure you consume the widest array of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, some pieces of produce in stores now are not in their prime and may be sourced from overseas, costing you freshness, nutrition and money. Here are a few foods, albeit healthy, you may want to buy in smaller quantities this season or wait until their peak.

APPLES: While they are often regarded as a year-round fruit, those available now may have been in cold storage since the winter. You can count on them being their best in late August and September.

SQUASH: Butternut and acorn varieties are available now and throughout the year, but they're really at their peak during September and October.

BROCCOLI: The stir-fry staple is at its prime from fall to spring (usually October through April). Instead, consider snow peas, snap beans and string beans in the cruciferous vegetable's place.

ASPARAGUS: These harbingers of spring have all but petered out at the greengrocers by summer, although you will still see imported asparagus at supermarkets.

CAULIFLOWER: Available year-round, your best bet is to wait until the cooler months of fall to enjoy fresh cauliflower for best quality.

Written by by Claudia M. Caruana
Published June 2009