Summer is thatspecial season of the year when you have a huge choice of fruits andveggies to eat healthy every day, but there are also things like icecream sandwiches, sweet drinks packed with sugar and calories, and abunch of other staple summer foods you should avoid at all costs.This is the time to reconsider your diet, experiments with smoothies,create mouth-watering fruit bowls, and simply enjoy all the vitaminsand nutrients that go with fresh summer produce. Here are 12 best andworst summer foods.
Best:Mango
Mango isgenerally considered the King of Fruits and for a reason! Mango ispulpy, sweet, refreshing, a bit tangy. It creates a perfect base forcooling summer drinks and desserts that taste like heaven. Apart fromthat, mangoes aid in digestion, boost immunity due to Vitamin C,promote eye health as well as gut health.
Worst:Snow Cones
Eating a slushysnow cone might seem like a good idea on a hot summer day, butbelieve when we say that you don’t want to go anywhere near thissummer treat. Snow cones are made of corn syrup, a bunch of sugars,and shaved ice. There’s nothing good in them whatsoever! Insteadopt for a popsicle made out of actual fruit juice.
Best:Watermelon
Watermelon is yetanother perfect summer fruit that is a powerful antioxidant and canbe turned into a variety of yummy goodies like fruity popsicles orcooling watermelon ice cubes. It is the only fruit that will restoreyour water balance and hydrate every part of your body. It’s likewater, only tastier!
Worst:Hot Dogs
According to theWorld Health Organization, processed meats like the ones you have inhot dogs are as dangerous to your health as asbestos and tobacco.Studies reveal a that compounds found in sausage casing causecolorectal cancer. A sandwich with a chicken breast will be a muchsafer option!
Best:Yoghurt
Yoghurt is thebest treat when it comes to summer snacking. It’s packed withprotein that keeps your tummy satiated for a long time and reducescravings for friend and salty snacks. It’s low on fat, but richwith probiotics that promote gut health and improve digestion.Yoghurt also tastes amazing in combination with fruits and become aperfect base for you summer smoothie.
Worst:Sugar-Free Ice Cream
Yes, it’s sugarfree, but to make this kind of ice cream tasty or at least edible,manufacturers pack it with so many chemicals that you’ll need aweek of detox smoothies to get one such ice cream get out of yoursystem. Sorbitol reduces the level of water in your body and dries upyour intestines, while inulin that is used instead of fat, causesbloating and gases. Better go for one small serving of Gelato –it’ll be much tastier and heathier than any sugar-free abominationon the market.
Best:Muskmelon
Melons are richwith vitamins A and C, which improve both your immune system andeyesight. Eating muskmelons regularly will also give your skin ahealthy glow, all the while fighting off harmful bacteria. Eat achunk of muskmelon with your breakfast or add it to your fruitsmoothie – it tastes amazing either way!
Worst:Bottled Iced Tea
Remember this –if it’s sweet, liquid, and you see it on the shelf in asupermarket, then just skip it! This is a general rule of thumb whenit comes to summer drinks like soda, juice, and seemingly harmlessoptions like iced tea. They all contain artificial sweeteners thatonly make you crave more sweets. And water that your body actuallyneeds becomes beyond boring and you skip it more than you should.Better create your own iced tea with no sugar and a bit of lemon fora rejuvenating effect.
Best:Salads With Leafy Greens
And not just anyleafy greens, but dark leafy greens like our favourite spinach andkale. They contain carotenoids and vitamin A that protect your skinfrom harmful UV rays, while moisturizing your skin and improving itsoverall health. Add some carrots and apricots for an extra boost ofvitamins.
Worst:Ice Cream Sandwich
You’ve probablynoticed that most ice creams aren’t a very healthy food and most ofthe time contain ingredients that are really bad for you. Ice creamsandwich here is packed with saturated fats and contains at leasthalf of your daily calorie intake. Well, if you’re fine with eatingjust two ice cream sandwiches per day then it’s totally okay!
Best:Avocados
A great source ofhealthy fats, avocados are amazing no matter how you look at it. It’snutritious and will keep your hunger at bay for a long time. Itcontains around 20 vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre that keepsyour gut healthy. It also packs some really powerful antioxidants andcan lower cholesterol levels. It’s just too good!
Worst:Charred Meats
If you’re into summer barbecues, we have bad news for you. Charred meats, chicken, and fish are a big no-no for those of you who want to eat and be healthy this summer. Animal proteins that go through a high-temperature cooking process create chemicals that are responsible for certain types of cancer. If you’re worried about your protein intake, try including more grilled veggies into your diet. Proteins can also be obtained from grains, legumes, dairy, and whatnot.
