Summer sun brings incredible fruits and veggies that make it easy to eat fresh and healthy. Take advantage of the good weather and check farmers’ markets where you can stock up on local produce while supporting small businesses and doing good for the environment; win-win-win! Plus, reap the benefits of fresh air, vitamin D, and moving your body. Here are some of my favorite summer fruits and vegetables and why you should be eating them all season long.

Tomatoes

Hands down my personal favorite summer food. Tomatoes are perfect raw, grilled, stewed, or roasted. Studies show that cooking this lycopene-rich food with olive oil can potentially increase your skin’s collagen and help prevent damage from the sun. Not to mention, tomatoes pack in Vitamin C, A, K, and Potassium, aiding in heart and eye health.

Sweet Corn

Nothing tastes like summer more than sweet corn. Not favored by the paleo community because of the sugar and carbohydrates, but the rest of us should enjoy it all summer long. Sweet corn is packed with fiber and nutrients such as folate, B6, Niacin, and Potassium which are all necessary for optimal health.

Eggplant

A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, eggplant is full of vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, and manganese. Don’t throw out the skin, it has properties that improve skin health, specifically caused by sun damage.

Cucumbers

Water-rich cucumber is a refreshing treat for hot summer months. Hydration is super important, and if you aren’t a fan of drinking water, increase your intake of cucumbers. Or, even better, add some sliced cukes and mint to your water for a delicious drink. Cucumber also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce puffiness and soothe sun-damaged skin- so feel free to use it topically also!

Watermelon

The iconic summer fruit is loved by all for many reasons. The perfect beach snack, since it refreshes and hydrates you! Besides its high concentration of water, it is full of Vitamin C and A, both of which are great for skin and hair health and help skin heal from excess skin exposure.

Berries

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and more! Summer berries have been known and cherished for their delicious taste and their powerful antioxidant benefits. Strawberries and blueberries specifically contain Anthocyanidins, which improve memory and keep you mentally sharp. Plus, all berries are prebiotic rich meaning they do wonders for your gut health.