Fresh summer food really does it all. It tastes great, lends itself easily to any situation, and helps you stay cool, hydrated, and healthy.
Aside from every color in the rainbow, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and compounds that can help fight inflammation to keep you feeling good.
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Selection will vary based on where you live, but you can bet that there are plenty of options grown nearby. So, whether you’re growing your own, head to the farm, or visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store, you’ll be able to find these seasonal specialties.
Common favorites include apples, avocado, beets, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, and watermelon.
The crunch of a fresh piece of fruit or vegetable is one of the best features. When you break through its fibrous strands, however, it’s about more than just texture. That fiber really helps your health. It can help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve digestion, and feed good gut bacteria.
Seasonal produce is also beautiful to look at. The bright colors, however, are more than just eye candy. The reds in tomatoes are caused by carotenoids and lycopene, which can aid heart health and help ward off chronic illness. Anthocyanins in berries can keep inflammation at bay. And the benefits truly do not stop there.
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Lastly, fruits and vegetables are a great source of water to help with digestion and hydration. This is especially important in summer’s heat, where water needs increase. One apple, for example, has a cup of water!
Water also helps fiber move through you to help keep your gut healthy and digestive system functioning optimally.
Try to include at least three servings of fruit and four servings of seasonal vegetables into your day. Your body and tastebuds will appreciate it, so enjoy it while it lasts.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
