Summer’s here and that means it is time to load your kitchen with lots of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. It is that amazing part of the year when you have ample of healthy and delicious food choices to tantalise your taste buds.
Be it those sumptuous fresh tomatoes from your nearby farmer’s market or those absolutely delightful fast foods from your favourite roadside stall; make the most out of this season to beat the summer heat. However, amid all these enjoyment and indulging, it is vital to check for any hidden unwanted calories and unhealthy additives that might do more harm than good. You will be surprise to know that many of the so-called healthy food dishes can affect your health negatively and even cause various ailments. So, browse through our list of super healthy and light summer foods and enjoy the season to the fullest:
Green Beans: Loaded with manganese, Vitamin K, C and beta-carotene; green beans or string beans are a must-have during the summer season. Although, you may get these beans throughout the years, summers are the time when you find them at their best. You can either use them while preparing soup or while preparing your favourite summer salad. For a spicy version, you can simply boil them and have them after sprinkling some of your favourite spices and herbs.
Veggie Kebab: Easy to make and absolutely sumptuous to have; veggie kebabs are one of the healthiest summer food. All you need to do is grill almost any vegetable and fruits of your choice and enjoy it with your preferred summer drinks. Apart from the usual choices like tomatoes, corns and capsicums, you can also add some unusual suspects like broccoli and spinach while grilling your veggie kebab dish.
Fruits Delight: Trust us; nothing can beat the health benefits of consuming fresh fruits during summer. They can not only help you overcome the harmful effects of excessive heat like dehydration but can also help in weight loss as they are loaded with Vitamin C. Watermelon, in particular, have high amounts of antioxidants and calcium that can even help to reduce the risk of cardio-vascular disease. So, toss in some of your most preferred fruits like mangoes, peaches and plums and add a little honey to add to the flavour.
Corn: Summer food without having any fresh sweet corn can almost be regarded as incomplete. Corns are rich two antioxidants; lutein and zeaxanthin that can help to protect your eyes against the harmful rays of the sun. Additionally, they can also lower the risk for developing age-related macular degeneration which is the main cause of blindness in older generation.
Ice Coffee: We all know that fresh fruit juices are the ideal summer drinks. But, did you know that a single cup of iced coffee per day decreases the risk of skin cancer? According to a research documented in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, drinking caffeinated coffee a day reduces the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer by about 10 percent.
Fruit and Yoghurt Fudge: Well, you had your share of summer drinks, corns and veggies but still something sounds missing right? Beat the summer heat by having these mouth-watering guilt-free fudge pops that have absolutely no fat. Freeze pureed fruits and low-fat yogurts in Popsicle molds and make your own chilled summer sweet treat.
Figs: These summer delicacies are perfect for Mediterranean climates and are found throughout the summer season. Rich in antioxidants, potassium and fibres; figs go well in sweet and savoury dishes and can even be consumed with goat cheese.
Raspberries: High in fibre, raspeberries can help to prevent weight gain and can even promote weight loss at times. A single cup of raspberries provide 8 grams of fibre to an individual. Additionally, they can also help to lower cholesterol levels as some of it is soluble in the form of pectin.
Basil: We often add basils for a flavourful punch in our summer drinks. However, did you know that basils are a good source of vitamin K, A, and calcium? Apart from this, they also have high anti-microbial properties and so, should be incorporated into dishes especially during the summer season.
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