Credit: The Daily Meal
For foodies, summer is a great time– even for one who is trying to diet. Many fabulous fruits and vegetables that are full of flavor are finally in season. Whether you enjoy these in a salad, on the grill, or all by themselves, there are health benefits to be had from these foods.
Berries
Credit: Parade
Berries are quite often on our lists of foods to eat, and for good reason. Blueberries are full of antioxidants. Tart cherries have anthocyanins, which activate a molecule that increases fat burning and decreases fat storage, and sweet cherries are full of potassium, beta carotene, vitamin C, anthocyanins and quercetin. Raspberries are a fantastic source for fiber. All of these fruits are in season, so take advantage of them!
Tomatoes
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Whether you eat them raw or grill them, tomatoes are a flavorful food that everyone loves to enjoy at a summer barbecue. Not only are they full of vitamins and minerals, but they contain something called lycopene, which has been implicated to protect people from sunburn– supposedly as much as 50 percent less burning than without it.
Watermelon
Credit: The Spruce Eats
Watermelon also have the skin-protecting lycopene. They are sweet and refreshing, which makes sense when you know that they are 92 percent water. They are an excellent snack that keep you hydrated and actually keep you fuller longer than a cup of water would
Corn
Credit: Britannica
When you don’t load your corn with butter and salt, corn is a sweet, refreshing addition to a meal. The vegetable is high in antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for your eyes. As long as you keep your corn simple, they are relatively low in calories.
Iced Tea
Credit: Erren’s Kitchen
Tea is well-known to do wonders for your body. Their antioxidants have been implicated to give you healthier teeth, gums, and bones, and even lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Make it perfect for summer by making it iced. Granted, there is a difference between iced tea and sweet tea. Iced tea is good for you. The massive amounts of sugar that sweet tea contains does more harm than good. Instead, add lemon to your iced tea for flavor.