Buying produce from local growers helps ensure you’re getting the freshest and most flavoursome produce, which makes farmer’s markets the ideal place to purchase your volumising free food ingredients. But remember, although the farmer’s market has much healthier choices than the supermarket, they are not without their temptations. Follow these easy tips for a healthy trip.
Mix it up!
The best way to breathe new life in to your Jenny menu is to experiment and get creative with fruits and vegetables you’ve never tried before, or don’t choose often. Farmers love trying new varieties of plants; so as you stroll past stands piled with produce, expect to find a vegetable or fruit you haven’t come across before. Talk with the farmer about this new gem—its taste, how to serve it or use it in a recipe. New veggie or old favourite, farmers are happy to share their recommendations for preparing and enjoying the fruits of their labour. Don’t be shy about asking for suggestions.
Choose non-starchy veggies
It’s really important to make sure you’re adding non starchy vegetables (either salads or cooked veggies) to your Jenny lunches and dinners- they help to fill you up and keep you satisfied without jeopardising your weight loss, and also provide a hit of vitamins and minerals for good health! This means steering clear of starchy vegetables like potatoes and pumpkin, and heading towards green and orange veggies like carrots, capsicums, cucumbers and celery. These vegetables contain, on average, about 90% water; many are high in fibre as well. You could try a local grower’s spring mix, or experiment with a new variety like rocket or kale. Both of these greens are part of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which also includes broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. Cruciferous veggies are low in kilojoules, high in fibre and rich in many key nutrients—including several essential carotenoids, as well as folate and Vitamins C, E and K.
Don’t stop for samples
When you’re in the midst of a weight loss journey, the farmer’s market can be full of temptations—there seem to be delicious free samples around every corner, from delicatessen meats and artisan cheese to fresh croissants and sweet pastries. If you already know that you’re susceptible to the “slippery sample slope,” be sure you’ve eaten a meal or snack before you hit the stalls. It’s also helpful to carry a bottle of water with you as you walk, so you can stay hydrated, and not mistake hunger for thirst. If you do sample some of the fruit on offer, this should replace the fruit on your Jenny menu, rather than be in addition to what’s listed on your menu.
If you’re a Jenny Craig member, speak to your Coach about how you can incorporate this recipe into your personal menu plan.
