Find out why the summer foods you love so much are so good for you.
It’s summer-that amazing time of year when fresh produce abounds.
I love that there’s an abundance of fresh, delicious and healthy choices.
Better yet: many of summer’s fruits and vegetables are brimming with secret health benefits.
Here are some of my favorites and why they’re a particularly good choice in the summer.
Watermelon
Staying hydrated keeps your memory sharp and your mood stable.
It also helps keep your body cool (by sweating) during hot summer months.
The good news is that you don’t just have to drink water.
Research shows that eating foods that are full of water helps keep you satisfied on fewer calories.
(Interestingly enough, drinking water alongside foods doesn’t have the same effect.)
Corn
Pictured Recipe:Garlic Butter Campfire Corn
Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn.
Eat More:Healthy Corn Recipes
3.
Don’t Miss:Healthy Tomato Recipes
4.
Blueberries
Pictured Recipe:Berry-Almond Smoothie Bowl
Fresh blueberries straight from the berry patch are a special treat!
Get More:Healthy Blueberry Recipes
5.
Cherries
Pictured Recipe:Cherry-Berry Oatmeal Smoothie
This summer enjoy both the sweetandtart varieties.
Drinking tart cherry juice can help you get a better night’s sleep and reduce post-workout pain.
But did you know that compounds in tart cherries may also help you slim down and get leaner?
The anthocyanins in tart cherries activate a molecule that helps rev up fat burning and decrease fat storage.
Not to be outdone, sweet cherries are loaded with potassium, a natural blood-pressure reducer.
Eat More:Healthy Cherry Recipes
6.
Iced Coffee
An iced pick-me-up is a great way to start your summer mornings.
Better yet: drinking a single cup of coffee daily may lower your risk of developing skin cancer.
And the more they drank-up to about 6 cups or so per day-the lower their risk.
Decaf didn’t seem to offer the same protection.
Try it for yourself.
If you’re consuming 2,000 calories per day, aim to increase your fiber by 16 grams.
Get More:Healthy Raspberry Recipes
8.
Tea is rich in a class of antioxidants called flavonoids.
The citric acid and vitamin C in that squeeze of lemon-or lime, or orange-help preserve the flavonoids.
