June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month and surely you’ve noticed certain fruits and vegetables come into season with the warm weather. This blog will cover the five healthiest fresh fruits that are in season this month (and usually available through July). The next blog will cover veggies.
Strawberries. Perhaps you’ve noticed fruit stands pop up or those strawberries looking very red in the grocery store.
Strawberries are great by themselves, in a fruit salad, blended in a smoothie, on cereal, or in yogurt. There are so many options!
Nutritional facts? (based on 1 cup)
50 calories
8 grams of sugar
4 grams of fiber (more than a serving size of prunes)
Apricots. They are perfect to pack in your lunch since they are small. They’re not too juicy and make for an easy, quick snack.
Nutrition facts:
(based on 1 apricot)
17 calories
3 grams of sugar
High in Vitamin A
Watermelon. A summer favorite! Slice up a whole watermelon and it could last you a week.
Nutrition facts:
(based on a cup)
46 calories
9 grams of sugar
High in Potassium
Cherries. Delicious when fresh off the tree, cherries are a portable, easy snack.
Just be careful of the pits!
Nutrition facts:
(based on a cup)
87 calories
17 grams of sugar
Contains the antioxidant melatonin (anti-aging properties, among other positive benefits)
Blueberries. Small but powerful, blueberries can easily be incorporated into your diet.
Add to yogurt or cereal for an easy anti-oxidant boost.
Nutrition facts:
(based on a cup)
84 calories
14 grams of sugar
14 mg of Vitamin C
Not only are all of these fruits in season, they are fairly easy to serve and eat (as opposed to, say, kiwis).
Best of all, these fruits offer a sweet alternative to sugary, processed foods.
Look for the next post about veggies, they are just as important!