Best Summer Foods to Eat

While summer is the perfect time to switch to flip-flops, it’s also the right time to change your diet. Being outdoors more often ups your risk for health problems like dehydration, skin sensitivities and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The solution? Eat local, in-season fruits — but they aren’t the only foods that will help your body look and feel its best during the hottest time of the year. Make room on your summer bucket list for all-star summer fare. From sizzling barbecue to dreamy desserts, take a look at some of the best food you need for summer.

Watermelon

As the name implies, the fruit is a hydration hero. The high water content keeps you cool and hydrated while also feeling full — a good food to help curb cravings. As an added bonus, the fruit contains lycopene, which protects skin cells from sun damage.

Oranges

The sweet citrus fruit is rich in potassium, a nutrient crucial in the summer. Eating oranges replenishes your potassium supply which you lose through sweat and keeps muscle cramps away since they are about 80 percent water.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob without butter or salt is a high-fiber, low-calorie food. Shave some off the cob and use it in salads, healthy salsas or to grill — just don’t overdo the butter. Choose the yellow variety over the white kind for added vitamin A.
Fruit Salad

Summer is peak season for colorful berries and stone fruit. Red, purple and blue fruit are potent sources of antioxidants and vitamins and some, especially berries, pack up to one-third of your daily fiber needs per serving.

Gazpacho

In the summer, the last thing you want to eat is hot soup. Chilled soups are the perfect solution. It’s filled with healthy ingredients like bell peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, which make it a light yet flavorful soup.

Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Throw chicken kabobs on the grill for an easy, protein-filled meal. Add veggies like zucchini, vitamin C-packed red bell peppers and squash to your skewer and you’ll add delicious, summery flavors with plenty of antioxidants.

Salmon

One of the healthiest foods for women is salmon as it reduces heart disease — the most common cause of death in women. Salmon is light and packed with protein and Omega 3, a perfect meal for summer. Throw it on the grill in teriyaki sauce with avocados, tomatoes and brown rice.