Summer is here and boy aren’t we glad! It’s time to meet with friends for a grill, have a few cold drinks in the summer sun, and enjoy a refreshing, cooling ice cream! While these are some of the best things about summer, they can sometimes catch you off guard by adding a few extra pounds to your waistline! So, with this in mind, we at NetCost Market thought we’d put together a list of 8 super healthy foods that are great to keep your summer waistline in check so you can still enjoy those summer treats!
The best, juiciest, locally-grown tomatoes come into season in July here in the Eastern US, so it’s the best time to stock up on these vitamin C and antioxidant-rich fruits. Try having them in a simple salad with mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, some olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper!
Peaches are another American favorite, and it’s easy to understand why! They’re many people’s favorite fruit which is good because they’re packed full of dietary fiber, vitamins A, and antioxidants, meaning they’ll keep you fuller for longer and protect your cells from the cancerous effects of the sun!
Well, it wouldn’t be summer without the classic watermelon! You can tell from the name that this fruit is great for keeping you hydrated, but you may not realize that watermelons also contain lycopene which is really effective at protecting skin cells from sun damage. The high water content of watermelons keeps you fuller for longer, helping stop cravings!
This may seem like a strange one, but high protein snacks like natural yogurt are very effective at keeping you from snacking on high-sugar foods. What’s more, cold dairy products have been shown as great coolers, helping you to stay cool and slim!
It’s a well-known superfood, and it certainly deserves this status! Avocado is full of healthy fats which are really important for keeping your heart healthy. What’s more, they’re actually very filling, meaning that by eating them you’ll keep away from the weight adding foods like burgers and ice cream!
Fish, especially oily fish like mackerel, salmon, or anchovies, are extremely healthy due to the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids they contain and the low amount of saturated fat. Fish that’s grilled is even healthier than fish that’s fried! So, next time you go to a family grill, why not bring along some marinated salmon fillets to impress everyone?
Nothing says summer like the smell of grilled corn! It’s so easy and healthy, it’s a wonder people don’t eat it more often. Corn is full of fiber but also contains lutein and zeaxanthin which are both great for helping the skin healthy in the sunshine!
Iced tea is oh so refreshing, and it also contains all the added benefits of tea! Tea is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids that keep cancer at bay. It’s also good to add a little lemon juice to help preserve the flavonoids when the tea is cooling in the refrigerator.
There’s a lot of temptation out there at this time of year – and you certainly shouldn’t avoid indulging in some treats like ice cream, summery drinks, and grilled foods – but if you’re watching your waistline, why not try balancing out your summer eating with these healthy summer foods? At NetCost Market, we stock a huge range of healthy summer foods, so you’ll be able to put together some great, low-calorie summer meals!