Healthiest Summer Foods
Welcome to summer! While you’re enjoying the sunshine and longer days, you may have some summertime cravings as well. Between summertime barbeques and trips to the ice cream shop for a cool treat, it can be challenging to eat healthy during the summer. That’s why we’re sharing the healthiest summer foods to keep your nutrition on track without missing out on delicious seasonal flavors.
Check out these healthiest summer foods:
Watermelon: Juicy and refreshing, this summertime favorite is filled with hydrating nutrients and fiber. Watermelon is also high in lycopene, which supports cardiovascular health. It is better absorbed when eaten with a healthy fat so consider it with a fatty fish or drizzle olive oil over it to enhance your nutritional intake.
Corn: Sweet yellow corn is not only delicious, it is also nutritious. Although it’s a starch, corn has some super health benefits, especially for the eyes thanks to its concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Grilled Salmon: If you’re firing up the grill, skip the red meat and throw some salmon fillets on the barby instead. Salmon contains tons of body-loving nutrients including the holy grail: omega-3 fatty acids.
Berries: Chock full of antioxidants, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are the sweetest healthiest summer foods and make terrific dessert alternatives. Antioxidants are excellent for keeping cells healthy by combating the effects of free radicals that can lead to disease.
Ice Tea or Coffee: Another super source of antioxidants is coffee and tea. Drinking iced coffee and tea during the hot summer months will keep you cool and help your body stave off disease, thanks to the flavonoids and other powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in these yummy beverages.
Tart Cherries: Pucker up for some wholesome nutrients in tart cherries that have a range of health benefits. Known for helping clear the urinary tract, inducing sleep and reducing muscle soreness, tart cherries also power up the metabolism for quicker weight loss.
Salad: On hot summer days a fresh salad is just the light meal you need to recharge your body with nutrients and hydration. Veggies contain lots of water and key minerals that can cool your body and replenish electrolytes. Plus, mixing up a new salad creation daily using a variety of seasonal vegetables keeps your summer diet fun and flavorful.
Avocado: Another omega-3 superfood, avocados are one of the healthiest sources of essential fatty acids that support the entire body, particularly the brain. With their smooth texture and delicious taste avocados can be paired with foods at any meal or snack.
Tomatoes: The sweet and sour juice of a tomato is another good source of lycopene. This nutrient is especially great in the summertime because it helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Tomatoes are super versatile and can be used in anything from salads and salsas, to sandwiches and Gazpacho soup.
Eating healthy this summer sounds pretty mouth-watering, right? We hope you enjoy these healthiest summer foods while you’re soaking up the sunshine this season!
Sources: Eating Well, Health and Food Network
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