10 seasonal superfoods
Summer is the season of fun, but between beach parties, music festivals and road trips, it can be easy to fall off the health wagon. Fill up on these 10 off-the-chart superfoods (aka nature’s medicines) for an enviable summer glow and energy boost.
1. Stone Fruits
Members of this fruit family include peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and even cherries. These lovelies are loaded with vitamin C, potassium—two important nutrients for skin health. They make for easy, on-the-go snacks to stash in your beach bag.
Read more about Stone Fruit: Five Favorites for Summer.
2. Asparagus
The spears (pointy part) provide a superb source of vitamin K and antioxidants. Asparagus is bursting with prebiotics, a type of fiber that helps "feed" the good probiotic bacteria in your gut.
Read more about Asparagus season.
3. Kiwi
Kiwifruit can produce fruits for up to 30 years. One cup of this electric green fruit provides more potassium than the same amount of sliced bananas, and two times more vitamin C than oranges.
4. Avocado
Technically a fruit—botanically a large berry containing a single seed—avocados are made up of 73% water, 15% fat, 8.5% carbohydrates (mostly fibers) and 2% protein (2). Nutrients found in avocados include oleic acid, lutein, folate, vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione, which protect your body from heart disease, cancer and degenerative eye disease.
5. Berries
Cheers to strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries! A berry’s dark color is a solid indicator of the vitamins it provides. These summer berries are packed with healthful antioxidants that help fight free radicals, which can damage cells and promote aging and disease. Berries also freeze well, so stock up now and use them in your muffins and smoothies all year long.
Read more about The Most Unusual Facts About Berries.
6. Tomatoes
Technically a fruit, tomatoes are one of the best sources of lycopene, a red-pigmented antioxidant known for preventing certain cancers. Cooking tomatoes releases even more of their lycopene content by breaking down the cell walls.
Read more about Food Facts: Tomatoes.
7. Zucchini
A skin superfood jackpot! Zucchinis are high in manganese, a mineral that helps fight off sun damage, and aids in the production of collagen, which increases skin elasticity. They can also help fight off heat rashes.
Read more about Zucchini love.
8. Fresh herbs
Before herbs were used to add flavor to food, they were used medicinally in teas and tinctures. Several herbs, including parsley, have significant amounts of the essential vitamins A, C and K. Take advantage of the season and enjoy a variety of fresh herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, and basil, perfect in soups and salads.
Read more about the Spice of Life: 10 Healthy Herbs and Spices.
9. Watermelon
When you need to stay hydrated and energized on hot days, watermelon should be a definite staple. Although watermelons are approximately 90% water, they also contain powerful vitamins, such as vitamins C and A.
Read more about Food Facts: Watermelon.
10. Lemons
The perfect superfood for when your meal needs a little zing and kick of vitamin C. Adding lemon to your water helps you wake up and gives your liver the love it needs.
Check out Veestro's a la carte, for a variety of these delicious superfoods delivered to your doorstep.
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