Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 3

4 Great Reasons to
Shop at Farmers Markets

A HEALTHY START

Mary Beth Sodus, RD, a registered dietitian at UMMC Midtown Campus, lists four reasons to visit your local farmers market:

1. FARM FRESH

2. COMMUNITY

3. EASY TO FIND

4. VARIETY

Grocery store fruits and

Markets are more than just a

For the U.S. Department of

The farmers market is a

vegetables are often several

place to purchase excellent

Agriculture's list of markets

great place to look for new

days old before they reach

fresh produce; they are also

in your area, go to ams.usda.

fruits and vegetables to cook

the produce aisle. Farmers

a great community gathering

gov/local-food-directories/

with, eat and enjoy. Plus, the

market produce is just the

spot, and a fun place for the

farmersmarkets. You'll find

vivid colors in produce are

opposite. In most cases, the

kids to get involved. Let them

locations, hours of opera-

a reflection of the nutrients

owner of the stand picked

pick something new to try,

tion and products sold. Most

they contain, including anti-

it that same morning. It's as

then help them prepare a

markets accept credit and

cancer phytochemicals. Aim

fresh as you can get, unless

meal. Free samples are often

debit cards, WIC, SFMNP and

to add at least one fruit or

you grow it yourself. Plus,

available. Ask the farmers for

SNAP cards.

vegetable to every meal.

you often pay less because

the best way to make their

there are no shipping costs.

food taste awesome.

5 FARMERS MARKET
SUPERFOODS
For a delicious, nutritious punch
in your diet, reach for these in-season
powerhouses at your local market
Superfood
Brussels
Sprouts

Why It's Great

Try This

They're full of vitamins, antioxidants,

Slice them in half and remove the outer leaves,

minerals and fiber, helping support your

then toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

immune system, blood and bones.

Roast at 350 degrees until tender and golden brown.

Chard and other green, leafy vegetables

Chard

may help lower your risk of stomach, breast
and skin cancers and heart disease.
The vitamins in tomatoes help keep your

Tomatoes

eyes and skin healthy, support healing and
protect against infections.

Garlic

ginger in olive oil and a splash of sesame oil.

Combine diced tomatoes, diced onions, chopped
cilantro, lime juice and salt for a tasty salsa.

Garlic may help lower your risk of

Roast a garlic bulb (trim off the nonstem end first)

stomach, colon, esophageal, pancreatic and

for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Spread the soft,

breast cancers.

caramelized garlic on whole-wheat bread or crackers.

The antioxidants in raspberries may

Raspberries

Stir-fry diced chicken, chard, onion, garlic and

help boost memory and urinary tract
health and promote healthy aging.

For breakfast, start your day with Greek yogurt
topped with ripe red raspberries.
umm.edu/midtown | Fall 2017 3

http://ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets http://ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets http://ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets http://www.umm.edu/midtown

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017