Feeling Peachy?

Peaches are now in season at the Winchester Farmer’s Market! Who can resist this delicious fruit with its soft fuzzy skin and yellow juicy flesh? Or refuse the chance to gather them up in the coming weeks? The most flavorful peaches arrive at this time of year and taste best when enjoyed fresh right out of the palm of your hand.

You can buy peaches a few days before consuming and allow the fruit to ripen; a ripe fruit will yield to slight pressure and exude an enticingly sweet scent. Peaches are not only delicious but also rather nutritious, weighing in at 50–70 calories each, making them a perfect snack for everyone.

Jam-packed with vitamin C, whose claim to fame is its antioxidant activity, peaches help your body repair damaged cells by stabilizing free radicals. Peaches also contain a substantial amount of vitamin A, a key component in vision and eye health.

According to the American Heart Association, Americans consume excessive amounts of salt and inadequate potassium, the body’s two major electrolytes. Lucky for peach-eaters, peaches contain no sodium and almost 10 percent of the daily-recommended value of potassium.

As with most fruit and vegetables, be sure to eat the skin, where much of the healthful nutrients are located—including a decent dose (2 grams) of fiber. Take pleasure in eating peaches this season sliced up in your breakfast cereal, grilled during a barbeque, or as a low-calorie snack!

Tips: Ripen peaches quickly by placing them in a paper bag for a time. The life of ripe peaches can be prolonged by placing them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Although easily bruised, you can still enjoy dented peaches, but toss any gouged portions that may be exposed to bacteria.

As pesticide residues easily cling to the fuzzy exterior of peaches, be sure to wash them by rubbing gently under running water before consuming. This is especially recommended when purchasing from conventional farms that use pesticides.

Don’t know how your fruit is grown? Ask your local farmer or grocer; they are happy to explain their farming and purchasing practices!

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Liz Schneider holds a masters degree in nutrition and health promotion from Simmons College. Liz is a resident of Winchester and currently completing a dietetic internship on her way toward becoming a registered dietitian. Her goal is to promote healthy eating practices in the community by sharing her knowledge with others.