Common fruits like peaches, pears and plums, often found in our fruit bowl or lurking at the back of the fridge, are well known for their high levels of vitamin C; a water-soluble vitamin which supports many processes in your body including immune health and tissue repair. Dietary fibre is naturally present in plant foods and an apple or pear contains about 20% of the daily value of fibre for adults, while a peach, two apricots or two plums provide about 10% of the daily value.
Consuming enough fibre contributes to smooth digestion, a lower risk of gut disorders, supports heart health and feeds the friendly bacteria in our gut. These fruits also contain beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants, which can help protect your body from ageing and disease.
Most of the nutrients can be found in the peel, so try to enjoy these fruits whole; spread pear slices with peanut butter, slice into a fresh salad, enjoy on top of Greek yoghurt, or, if they can’t be eaten straight away, freeze and blend into your favourite smoothie.

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com

Summer grilled peach and burrata salad
Serves 4

• 8 oz burrata cheese
• 3 peaches, stoned and sliced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 cups rocket
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup olive oil
• black pepper, to taste

1. Heat the grill on medium heat. (The peaches can also be grilled on a BBQ, just make sure you slice them a little thicker, so they don’t fall between the bars!)
2. Brush the open side of the peaches with butter and sprinkle with coconut sugar. Then, grill the peach slices for 2-3 minutes on each side, until you have grill marks and the open edge has caramelised.
3. While the peaches are grilling, add the balsamic vinegar to a small pan on a medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until slightly reduced. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
4. To assemble the salad, add a small handful of rocket to a plate, some of the peach slices, and chunks of burrata. Sprinkle over some pine nuts and drizzle with olive oil and the reduced balsamic vinegar. Top it off with a little cracked black pepper. Delicious!