Everything is Peachy Keen this August for National Peach Month!

Did you know that the seeds of a peach grow inside its pit? Peaches are a drupe, also known as a stone fruit, which is a fruit that has a fleshy layer growing around a hardened shell that encapsulates a seed. While they may have a tough center, most peaches are juicy, tender, and delicious! Celebrate this sweet fruit throughout August for National Peach Month!

This fuzzy fruit is not only tasty, but it’s also packed with nutrients. There are many different varieties of peaches, from yellow to white to everything in-between, but they all have a similar nutrient profile. They can improve digestion and even lower cholesterol; peaches are a great addition to many diets.

While peaches can be eaten on their own as a snack, it is so much more fun to incorporate them into a delicious meal. You can have them at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as a dessert!

Peaches and Your Health

Fruit is an important part of a well-balanced diet. Peaches contain many micronutrients that the body utilizes to keep you healthy and running as efficiently as possible. Here are just some of their health benefits:

Heart Health: Peaches contain the micronutrient potassium, which the body uses to regulate your blood pressure. When your blood pressure is too high, it can cause damage to your heart by reducing its oxygen supply leading to heart disease. Keeping your blood pressure within a certain range is essential for a healthy heart.

Gut Health: There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and can help control blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool to aid in the digestion of food. Both fibers are essential in promoting a healthy gut and are found in peaches.

Immune Health: Antioxidants are compounds that are used by the body to fight illnesses and diseases. Some antioxidants in the diet and in peaches include Vitamin C, polyphenols, and carotenoids.

Eye Health: Along with being an antioxidant, beta-carotene can support vision health and reduce the risk of eye disorders like glaucoma. You’ll find beta carotene in, you guessed it, peaches.

The Perfect Peach Dish

Peaches make the perfect addition to every meal from breakfast to dinner! There are so many amazing dishes to choose from, here are just a few to inspire:

Breakfast: If you are looking to start your morning with something sweet, why not try a roasted peach crumble? It is not only tasty but easy to make and something the whole family will enjoy. You’ll find a recipe with a quick Google search.

Lunch: You may not think the words peach and soup go together but when you add in golden beets, it’s a must-try dish.

Dinner: Flavor your chicken with a peach and avocado seasoning that will add sweetness and moisture to your protein.

Dessert: You can’t talk about peaches without mentioning the perfect dessert, which is peach cobbler. If you have leftovers, you can save them for breakfast the next morning.

No matter what you decide to make, just don’t forget to add some peach to it.

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite peach-based dish? Let me know in the comments below.