It’s Officially Summertime – Here are the Best Foods to Eat this Season

[avatar user=”doller” size=”thumbnail” align=”left” link=”https://somoscc.wpengine.com/who-we-are/denisse-oller”]by Denisse Oller[/avatar]

As the seasons change and summer is upon us, staying healthy is as important as ever. Staying active, drinking water, and getting enough rest are all part of a happy lifestyle – and smart food choices are another key element that we can’t forget. This week take some time to learn more about those seasonal foods you can easily incorporate into your routine to maintain a well-balanced and delicious diet!

As summertime brings its warmer weather and longer days, we are often more active and need more energy and hydration to make it through our days. Look to natural carbohydrates and sugars like those found in summer fruits and vegetables including corn, peas, peaches, cantaloupe and strawberries to help boost your energy. For added hydration, try water-rich foods such as watermelon and cucumber.

And as an added bonus, you’ll be enjoying these seasonal foods at perfect time to enjoy them at their freshest. It can be difficult to keep track of what fruits and vegetables are in season, but we’re here to help! Here is a list of some of the amazing foods that are perfect to add to any meal or snack this summer:

  • Strawberries: Freshest between June and July, strawberries are great for heart health and blood sugar control.
  • Beets: A great source of Vitamin C, which is absolutely essential in maintain tissue health throughout your body, beets are in season through November.
  • Broccoli: A seasonal item through November as well, broccoli is full of Vitamin K and calcium, which maintain strong and healthy bones.
  • Cabbage: With its season lasting through December, cabbage can help improve your digestion throughout the rest of the year by helping your body filter the unnecessary and unhealthy parts of your diet.
  • Peas: Freshest between June and July then again during September and October, peas are high in antioxidants and have been shown to help protect against chronic illnesses such as heart disease.
  • Spinach: In season from May to October, spinach also helps protect your bones from injury, similar to broccoli.
  • Tomatoes: In season from June to October, tomatoes are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

If all of these benefits were not convincing enough, keep in mind that seasonal foods are more cost-effective than those not in season. Ultimately, you can save money and stay healthy by eating your seasonal fruits and vegetables this summer. To learn more about seasonal foods throughout the year visit www.seasonalfoodguide.org.