Summer brings us the unforgettable sounds of Wimbledon , with aces served up on Centre Court, and strawberries served left, right and centre.
The sweet smell of strawberries always brings to mind the sun, so it’s no wonder that they’re one of the most popular flavours – not only in fruit but also in sweets, snacks, drinks and even cosmetics.
Don’t be fobbed off by strawberry flavouring though, there’s nothing quite like the real deal. Whether it’s a punnet being enjoyed while you watch the tennis, a picnic in the park, or a decadent champagne and strawberries breakfast, you simply can’t beat them.
Low in calories and high in flavour, the sweet and juicy strawberry is more than just a tasty treat. They’re a good source of manganese, which is important for our metabolism and antioxidant system.
Even better, 100g of strawberries contains over 70% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, and everyone knows how important vitamin C is… But it bears repeating – vitamin C is an essential nutrient for us. It helps protect our cells, helps with wound healing, and is vital for maintaining healthy connective tissue – which keeps our organs in the right places!
So, while you watch the tennis players connect their racquets with the little yellow balls, why not join in with the atmosphere and have yourself some strawberries too?
You can grow them yourself in your back garden, and give yourself “strawberry fields forever”, and if you’re lucky enough to get a glut of strawberries, don’t forget they can be frozen to keep you going later in the year.
Lay them out individually on a tray before popping them in the freezer – once they’re frozen you can decant them into a bag or container (if you start by freezing them in the bag, you’ll end up with one big clump – still delicious but not so handy if you want to grab a few for a bright pop of summer flavour!)
Fiona Stephen is a nutritionist based in Barnet, North London. Find out about the nutritional therapy consultations available or contact Fiona Stephen Nutrition to discuss your requirements.
