Healthy eating this summer can still include some tasty food. Today on Lubbock's First News, Dietician Jennifer Gorman of United Supermarkets discussed Men's Health Month and some healthier alternatives to typical summer dishes.

Everyone loves a summer cookout, but make sure you supplement your diet with something a little healthier this summer. A couple suggestions provided by certified dietician Jennifer Gorman included raw nuts, peppers, and tomatoes. Nuts, such as almonds, provide a great source of omega-3 and make for the perfect snack. Peppers are a good way to provide a variety of tastes and color to any meal. "The goal is that you get in a variety of colors because they all have a little bit different amounts of vitamins," Gorman stated. One thing that is true for all peppers, however, is that they're low in calories while high in fiber, vitamin c, potassium, and lycopene. "Lycopene is a great antioxidant, so we're really encouraging people to get more antioxidants, and you can get a lot of those from fruits and vegetables. So, peppers are a great source, they're jam packed full of antioxidants and vitamin c." In addition to peppers, tomatoes are a great and delicious source of nutrition. However, Gorman was sure to advise against putting tomatoes in the fridge, claiming "you put it in the refrigerator, you're basically killing it. What happens is that good, sweet flavor turns kind of watery-flavored." This is caused by the natural sugars being broken down due to the cold.

If raw fruits and veggies are not your favorite, there are still ways to cook them in a healthy way. Grilled peppers are still nutritious, although they do lose some of their fiber content. Even a bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled jalapeno pepper popper can be enjoyed without ruining your diet. Gorman suggested opting for a low-fat cream cheese filling and center cut bacon to wrap it with, saying "It taste great, but there is more protein content, a little less fat content." This goes to show that eating healthy does not have to be boring. So go ahead and try these suggestions from United Supermarket dietician Jennifer Gormon and enjoy a summer of great eating and improved nutrition.

To find all the foods mentioned in this article as well as other foods and recipes, check out United Supermarket's website or visit a United Supermarket in person.

To hear the full interview, click the play button below:

To listen on a mobile device, click the following link: KFYO LFN Jennifer Gorman June 18 2014

 

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