By Jenné Claiborne
Vegetarian Times
June 4, 2014
Ever notice how the season's harvest supplies us with the foods that seem right for our bodies at that time? In the autumn and winter, there's an abundance of hearty, warming roots. In the summer, there is a bounty of juicy fruit and veggies to help us stay cool and hydrated. Air conditioning is great, and so is ice cold water, but to truly stay cool all summer long, fill your plate with these refreshing summer foods.
Watermelon
A summer without the juicy red flesh of my favorite fruit would not be as sweet, or as cool. Watermelon is about 91 percent water and is bursting with heart-healthy lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. Watermelon is delicious on its own, or it can easily be added to smoothies and fruit salads.
Cucumber
Coming from the same family as the watermelon, cucumber is another delicious cooling food. It is a fantastic source of Vitamin K, an anti-inflammatory compound, and many antioxidants. As the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world, cucumbers are an extremely common, yet unvalued food. They are fantastic in smoothies, gazpachos, veggie sushi, salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
Radish
Spicy as these little roots are, radishes are a terrific cooling food. In Eastern medicine radishes are known to help reduce built up of body heat and to aid in digestion. They contain potassium, and other replenishing minerals. Radishes come in many different varieties, and are delicious sliced or shredded into salads, or on sandwiches.
Dark Leafy Greens
This superfood vegetable should be on your menu every day. Dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collards, chard and mustard greens are full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, protein, and fiber. They fill you up without weighing you down, and contain high-quality H2O to help replenish electrolytes lost in the summer heat. Greens are versatile and can be used in salads, juices, and smoothies. For ultimate summer hydration, consume them raw.
Strawberries
Get them while they're in season! Luscious, juicy strawberries are about 92 percent water. They are an amazing source of vitamin C, and they help to support healthy blood sugar levels. Strawberries are often grown with a lot of pesticides, so choose organic strawberries when possible. Of course strawberries are delicious by themselves, but they also make tasty additions to cereals, salads, and dressings.
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