July – National Blueberry Month
Red, white and blue – our nation’s colors. Two of those colors are the color of my favorite fruits! What’s better than strawberries and blueberries? Not much in my book. That’s why I celebrate National Blueberry Month taking the opportunity to use them in one of my fave, light and easy desserts. Strawberry/Blueberry Shortcake with Whipped Topping. So easy:
Strawberry/Blueberry Shortcake with Whipped Topping
- Slice of angel food cake
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Whipped topping
That’s it! It’s a treat anytime. But especially this time of year when the brilliance of the colors coincide with the 4th of July. I always have blueberries on hand in the freezer if I can’t get them at a reasonable price at the store. I previously wrote a post Confessions of a Blueberry Addict. Yes, I love them that much!
Disease-fighting phytonutrients
Surely you’ve heard how good berries are, but why? For similar, yet different reasons. Like most plant-based foods they’re terrific sources of the disease-fighting plant compounds called phytochemicals or phytonutrients. Strawberries contain flavonoids believed to have protective benefits as well as other nutrients like folate, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
My colleague, registered dietitian nutritionist and “Guy-a-titian” Dave Grotto, author of 101 Foods That Can Save Your Life states that “The plant nutrients found in strawberries, particularly polyphenols, have antioxidant capabilities that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These two harmful processes have been linked to major challenges to our health. Polyphenols help to protect and repair cells.”
45 pounds of blueberries!
And then there are blueberries. I remember as a kid going blueberry
picking in the Midwest. One beautiful summer afternoon my mom, brother Mark and I brought home 45 pounds of blueberries! And that’s just what we had to pay for—we picked considerably more. I can only imagine how many ended up in my belly. I’m surprised I still love blueberries as much as I do—I ate so many that day. We washed them, dried them and packed them in the freezer. Year-round we would have wonderful blueberry treats. They were great to munch on straight from the freezer since they froze like marbles.
Little did I know those succulent little blue things were going to end up being such a super great food. They contain a different phytochemical than strawberries called anthocyanins which gives them their beautiful rich blue color. They’re also good sources of resveratrol also found in grapes and red wine. Like the polyphenols in strawberries, these phytochemicals are also disease-fighting antioxidants.
If those aren’t enough reasons to eat these nutrient-rich powerhouse fruits July is National Blueberry Month!
Do YOU share my passion for berries? What’s your favorite berry dessert or treat? Let me know in the comments!
Be well!
Neily
Original post: July 2, 2015 and updated July 4, 2019
Jennifer “Neily” Neily, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist | Wellcoach® Certified Health Coach
NeilyonNutrition.com
I love blueberries! Thank you for the great idea for the patriotic dessert. I will have to try that one!
Awesome! I love it.
-Neily
I enjoy reading this, thank you
You’re welcome!
I also love berries! Such a great snack 🙂
I agree! That’s why I post about them every year. -Neily
Berries are one of my favorites especially raspberries.
Did you know raspberries have the highest fiber in fruits? One cup has 8 grams and only about 80 calories. Thanks for your comment!
Neily
I read about berries and how they boost your immune system. I love berries i could eat them all the time, I just wish they were not so expensive.
I know…berries CAN be expensive. I recommend buying as many as you can afford when they’re on sale and freezing them. I made this video how to freeze blueberries and wrote several blogs including this Confessions of a blueberry addict and where I bought 34 pints for $40
I’ll buy frozen when they’re not in season – a great alternative!
Thanks for your comment 🙂 -Neily
I always loved blueberries, I never knew they made such an impact when eating them.
Eat berries! They are berry berry good for you 🙂
Neily
I had no idea berries could help reduce inflammation. I love making treats with fruits, thank you for the idea.
You’re welcome Graciela! Berries are a terrific food. One of my favorite fruits!
Neily
Wow I did not know that about blueberries, its awesome that they have such great health benifits! I have always wondered where their color comes from, and its amazing that a chemical can produce such a beautiful blue!