Blast - Get your California fruit — and your vitamin C

Get your California fruit — and your vitamin C

(ARA) - California peaches, plums and nectarines are good sources of vitamin C. And they’re delicious.

Vitamin C is essential for healthy teeth and gums, aids in the absorption of iron and helps maintain connective tissue health which is important for defending against infection. Peaches and nectarines provide 15 percent of the recommended Daily Value (DV) of vitamin C, and plums provide 10 percent of the recommended DV of vitamin C.

Looking for ways to add more nutrients to your family’s summer eating routine?

“Find clever ways to add seasonal veggies and fruits, such as California peaches, plums and nectarines, into every part of your meal,” says registered dietitian Jackie Newgent. “You’ll be boosting vitamin C and other antioxidants, while adding flavor and flair.”

Adding more fruit to your diet can be done in so many different, delicious ways. From appetizers to desserts, fruit can jump right into some of your favorite dishes and add nutritious flavor. Newgent suggests whipping up a fresh salsa with diced peaches or tossing slices of fresh plums into a summer salad.

Grilling fruit is also a hot, and healthy, trend. Try topping grilled nectarine halves with low-fat frozen yogurt for a tasty treat. “By incorporating fruits, you can delight in your desserts while getting more nutritional bang for your calorie buck,” Newgent said.

Don’t forget that drinking your fruit counts, too. Try this on for size:

Peach Pie Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes

2 fresh peaches, pitted and sliced
1 cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt
1/4 cup low-fat milk
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 vanilla wafer cookies, crumbled

Puree all ingredients except cookies in a blender until smooth. Pour into two chilled glasses and top with cookie crumbles.

Serves two.

Blast's Peach Pie Smoothie