Have a Berry Good Summer
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| Thu, 07-24-2008 - 11:38am |
With summer officially in full swing, it's time to enjoy that sweetest fruit of all — the berry. Whether you love strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, the months from May to September offer an abundant harvest of berry goodness. And best of all, fiber-rich berries — Phase 2 fruits — are a delicious source of disease-fighting antioxidants. Here are a few tips on how to buy them, store them, and put them to good use.
Buying: At the grocery store or farmers' market, choose dry, plump, and brightly colored berries with no obvious rotten spots. Avoid containers with juice stains — this is a sign that the berries either have been battered or are overripe. Also be on the lookout for moldy spots — mold travels like wildfire through berries, so avoid containers with signs of mold.
Storing: After you've brought home your berries, store them unwashed in the refrigerator in a covered container. Fresh berries don't last long and are best used within two days of purchase. Berries can also be stored in the freezer for up to four months. To freeze, spread the berries out on a cookie tray and freeze before consolidating into a smaller container.
Eating: When you're ready to use your berries, you can enjoy them as is, with a dollop of South Beach Diet-approved whipped topping, mixed in nonfat or low-fat plain or artificially sweetened yogurt, with high-fiber, whole-grain cereal, and even in salads. Need more ideas? Log on to SouthBeachDiet.com and search our database of more than 1,000 delicious recipes! Whatever you choose to do, make sure to wash your berries before eating them, since they can often harbor bacteria.


