Posted May 09, 2014 in Blog
Having a healthy diet not only makes you feel better, but helps you look your best, too. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients maintain a strong body and radiant skin, while antioxidants help keep you looking youthful and feeling energetic. So-called “superfoods” contain loads of these healthy elements. We’re fortunate to have many wonderful farmers markets in the Atlanta area where you can find fresh, local superfoods and a variety of delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables. Here are a few of our favorites:
Peachtree Road Farmers Market, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta
In less than 10 years, this market has become known for its high-quality produce and fair prices; everything at the Market has been grown, raised, or made by the seller. There are over 50 vendors each week who must follow strict standards for using Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown practices. Vendors who sell prepared foods are also subject to guidelines about the ingredients they use; for example, they’re prohibited from using corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dyes, or preservatives. Visit the Peachtree Road Farmers Market every Saturday morning through mid-December for a smorgasbord of healthy delights.
Rick’s Farmers Market, 3670 Roswell Road NE, Marietta
Rick’s Farmers Market has been a staple of the Marietta area for over three decades! Known for their local produce, they have a reputation for stocking delicious tomatoes. Everyone knows that fresh, ripe tomatoes are tasty—but did you also know that they contain up to 40% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants? They also contain lycopene, the powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and may also lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, improve vision, and ward off cancer. Lycopene is thought to support skin elasticity and help prevent sunburn, too! Tomatoes are one of the best superfoods, and Atlantans need look no further than Rick’s for the freshest tomatoes straight from the farm.
Buford Highway Farmers Market, 5600 Buford Highway, Doraville
Looking for something a little different? Check out the Buford Highway Farmers Market. Known for their exotic produce, this market offers specialty items from Korea, Thailand, Central and South America, the Caribbean, West Africa, Japan, China and the Philippines. Be it Korean Certified Angus beef, Thai guavas, or Indian jackfruit, this 100,000-square-foot indoor market is your go-to for any and all ethnic cuisine.
The market is full of otherwise difficult-to-find superfoods. For instance, dragon fruit is high in antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, and this farmer’s market generally has several varieties in stock. You can also find mangosteen, a tart Southeast Asian fruit with white flesh that has a laundry list of supposed health benefits, including anti-ulcer, anti-aging, and analgesic (pain relieving) properties. Whether you’re looking for exotic fruits or that perfect spice for a curry dish, the Buford Highway Farmers Market is worth the drive.
Shop for Common Superfoods, Too
Here are some of our favorite familiar superfoods; each of these items are very easy to find at any farmer’s market.
- Blueberries: With late spring and early summer comes the return of blueberry season. An excellent snack alone or paired with yogurt, cereal, or just about anything, blueberries are also ranked the fourth-highest antioxidant-rich food by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Antioxidants help protect against free radicals, which are cells that can cause cancer and other degenerative diseases.
- Beets: An excellent addition to salads or juices, both the leaves and the root are great for the body. Beet greens are extremely high in potassium (one serving contains 644 mg!), and the root itself is high in folate or folic acid, which improves blood circulation and can help prevent osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.
- Watermelon: In addition to being a great source of hydration, watermelons are also high in Vitamins C and A, as well as fiber. This summer staple has it all!
Enjoy your next trip to your favorite Atlanta farmers market and stock up on summertime superfoods! It’s easy to keep a healthy glow all year ‘round by eating nutritious vegetables and fruits.
