Summer is around the corner. One of the best ways to beat the heat and humidity, is to eat food that is light and refreshing. Summer is the time to enjoy several seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are nutritious and also help to keep you hydrated.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are those that are at their peak in terms of flavor or harvest during a particular time of the year. In addition to being a healthy option, buying seasonal fruits and vegetables are helps to support local farmers and producers, reduces damage to the environment and is economical.
This summer, consider tweaking your diet by adding these special summer fruits and vegetables:
- Apples: High in fiber, apples help you feel full and increase the metabolic rate to burn fat. Apples are extremely rich in antioxidants and flavonoids and are also an ideal source of B-complex vitamins.
- Avocados: This calorie-dense fruit contains fatty acids that speed up the process of converting fat into energy and boost the rate of metabolism. Studies have found that eating avocados can make you feel full and improve cholesterol levels. Avocados can be used as a substitute for butter or margarine on bread and toast and also added to salads, smoothies, and dips.
- Bananas: A summer fruit that is calorie-dense and nutrient-dense, bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium, manganese, fiber, numerous antioxidants, and vitamins A, B6, and C. They curb appetite, help burn fat and boost muscle development. Bananas can be enjoyed as an on-the-go snack or can be added to a variety of dishes, either raw or cooked.
- Beets: Summer heat makes people tired, and the humid temperature can increase risk of strokes. Beets contain naturally occurring sugar, which is very beneficial to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Moreover, beet juice is considered a detox drink that aids liver health and also balances low blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Cantaloupe: Also known as musk melon, cantaloupe makes a refreshing snack in the summer, as it contains high water content and helps prevent dehydration.
- Cucumber: Summer is the time where our body gets dehydrated quickly and you have to eat vegetables containing water to stay hydrated. Cucumber is one of the vegetables that you must never skip during the summer, as it contains lots of water that can keep you hydrated. Also, its phytochemical and other therapeutic properties make it an excellent food to protect the skin against the summer heat.
- Plums: This summer seasonal fruit has a low glycemic index and is rich in nutrients like vitamins C and A.
- Peaches: Bright tangy fruit peaches are power-packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and potassium, which is essential for the proper functioning of the body’s cells and for maintaining a balance of fluids and electrolytes.
- Strawberries: Filled with antioxidants and fiber-rich, fresh strawberries are a harbinger of summer. This heart-shaped fruit can be a healthy standalone treat or churned into ice cream. It contains ellagic acid, which helps fight inflammation. Strawberries also boost skin health and immunity.
- Watermelon: Summer’s blessing, watermelon is packed with vitamins and nutrients that flush out toxins and keep you hydrated. This fiber-rich summer fruit has a very low carbohydrate content and a very high water content (94%).
All these fruits and vegetables are great for your body because they contain water which keeps your body hydrated and also protect you from sunstroke, dizziness, fatigue feeling, and so on. Summer foods keep your immune system secure and help your body adjust to the change in temperature outside so that you stay fit and energetic all through the summer months.
