It is common knowledge that fruits are good for you. Not only are they rich in vitamins, they also contain valuable antioxidants that keep you fit and healthy. Each fruit has its own strong points, with different vitamin and mineral contents that contribute to different areas of your health and wellbeing. Summer fruits are a group that is especially beneficial. During the summer months, more and more men look to lighten up their menus and choose foods that are eaten cold or that can be easily prepared on the barbecue. Now’s also a prime time to take advantage of the healthy summer fruits that are available to help boost your vitamin and fiber intake, while simultaneously satisfying your taste buds for something sweet.
You’re far better to reach for a piece of fruit when the craving strikes rather than cakes, candy or ice cream. If you’re looking to improve your overall health then adding more fruit to your diet is a sure-fire solution. Fruit is chalked full of important vitamins and minerals. Fruit is exceptionally helpful for boosting immune function, fighting off disease, improving digestion and beatifying your skin and body from the inside out. If you’re gearing up to start eating healthier then adding in some fruit is a great place to start.As the summer approaches more and more fruits become available and there is simply no reason not to indulge. The sheer variety of tasty and juicy options makes eating fruit a pleasure rather than a chore. And while there are many, many fruits to chose from, below is a list of some of the most tasty and most powerful in terms of health and vitality.
Berry, berry good. Berries are some of the best fruits you can eat as they are full of vitamin C and antioxidants. Strawberries contain high levels of vitamin C and are ever so tasty. Prepare them whole by themselves or slice them up on a salad. You can also blend them into a smoothie for breakfast if this option suits you best.
Blueberries are also a great option. These little berries are high in antioxidants, important for warding off deadly diseases like cancer. Not only this but these little guys also contain vitamin E, an essential component for healthy looking skin. Add blueberries to smoothies or to cereal in the morning. Add them to low fat yogurt as a nice healthy after dinner dessert.
Peaches, oh peaches. Peaches are another wonder fruit that are rich in vitamin A. As such, these delicious treats are also great for improving the look and feel of skin and can be useful for any kind of eye problems as well. Try some peaches in a fruit salad or simply by themselves. Dice them slice them or simply bite into them whole. Any way you cut them these are great summer diet additions.
Oh my Omegas. The avocado is one of the best foods when it comes to getting your essential fatty acids. Avocados are composed of good fats and make a great addition to a summer salad. Alternatively, make a guacamole dip and enjoy some baked corn or rice crisps. While it might not be a low fat option, it is a healthy one and will keep your skin, nails and hair looking full of shine and gloss.
Summer is a great time for beaches, barbecues and volleyball, but it also offers some of the best varieties of fruits to choose from. So next time you’re at your local farmers market, stalk up on rich variety of fruits. You can freeze what you can’t eat right away. Fruit is an essential component of a healthy, nutrient rich diet.
Here are some of the best healthy summer fruits for guys that you should focus on for your snacks or for your desserts to round off a well-balanced meal.
Blackberries
While strawberries are the popular choice in the berry family, and very easily added to cereal, don’t neglect blackberries. Blackberries are very high in fiber, offering 7.6 grams for ever 1 cup you eat. In addition to this, they are also high in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, as well as lutein, a nutrient that helps promote healthy eyes. Vitamin K is one of the vitamins that is also especially important for males, since it helps to protect against prostate cancer.
Watermelon
The fruit that speaks summer to most people is watermelon. Watermelon is a very good way to stay hydrated as the heat rises since it is almost 92% total water content. The fruit is also a good source of vitamin C, providing 25% of your requirement in a single cup. The additional vitamins and minerals in this fruit include vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B1, as well as potassium and magnesium.
One nutrient that especially stands out in watermelon is lycopene, which provides cancer-fighting benefits.
Papaya
Papayas make for a great summer fruit as they can easily be added to your salads or eaten on their own with low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt for dessert. The nutritional highlight of papaya is its vitamin C content, providing over 300% of your daily need.
It also is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin E, which all work together to help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which puts you at a lower risk for heart disease.
Finally, two protein-digesting enzymes known as papain and chymopapain help to lower inflammation in the body, aiding those who suffer from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Pineapple
Most men only get pineapple when they order a pizza, but the nutritional punch this summer fruit packs makes it a good option to eat during the warmer months. The big nutrient that pineapple has to offer is manganese, which helps increase the use of biotin, thiamine and ascorbic acid in the body. It also helps the body synthesize the fatty acids you take in, and promotes a healthy thyroid gland.
The other nutrients found in pineapple include vitamin C, vitamin B1, copper, and fiber. These nutrients work together to help improve the immune system, protect against macular degeneration and increase energy levels.
