4 Ways to Enjoy Healthy Summer Produce

Summer might just be the best season of all for eating and enjoying healthy foods. With the sun out and temperatures rising, it’s easier to say no to carbs and heavy foods, opting instead for cool, fresh produce.

At the same time, farmer’s markets are open for business, and many of your favorite fruits and vegetables are in season. With those incentives and this list of four of our favorite summery foods, there’s no excuse not to eat healthy in the coming months.

1. Peaches

What screams summer more than a ripe, delicious peach? These invigorating fruits, which mature in the summer months, are great on their own or in a Southern-style cobbler. They’re also a good source of dietary fiber, low in fat, and contain many essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, and iron.

2. Blueberries

Beautiful in color, blueberries are also best when they’re cool (or even frozen), which makes them a perfect summer fruit. They’re great on their own as a snack, though we also love them as an addition to oatmeal or cereal—or as part of a festive Fourth of July cake. Plus, they’re loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. They’ve also been shown to help protect against high cholesterol and heart disease.

3. Summer Squash

It was too much to resist putting summer squash on our list, for obvious reasons. Interestingly, the term summer squash actually describes several different varieties of squash, some of which are available at any time of year (including winter). Among the most popular are green zucchini, yellow zucchini, and yellow squash, all of which can be eaten raw, mixed into salads, or cooked in various ways. Squash also has many health benefits, some of which stem from its fiber content and its status as a great source of Vitamins A and C.

4. Cucumbers

Ah, the cucumber: a delicious fruit that yields cool, crisp slices that are perfect for summer. Cucumbers are great when they’re green and fresh, on their own, or in summery salads. They’re also tasty in drinks, and can be pickled when ripe. Even betters, cucumbers can hydrate you on hot days with their high water content, and contain a health-boosting mix of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

For more ideas and suggestions for healthy eating over the summer and beyond, contact a nutritionist or dietitian at PMR today!