From dazzling sunny days to relaxing beach gateways, summer is the perfect season to appreciate the great outdoors before the cold winter creep back in. But for many, summer is also the time when we stuff ourselves with tons of unhealthy menus like deep-fried seafood, sugary festival treats or large frozen cocktails. Instead of these, try adding these ten summer foods in your menu to shed extra weight.
Berries
Blackberries, blueberries or raspberries – whichever type you prefer, they are good sources of essential micronutrients like dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium; vitamin B and vitamin C as antioxidant that we need to stay healthy. A cup of raspberries provide 8 grams of dietary fiber which is about one-third recommended portion for women and one-fifth recommended intake for men.
Cucumbers
With 95% of water, cucumber is super-hydrating, low in calories, loaded with anti-oxidants and have potentials to help fight hypertension. They are good at salad dressings, soups and smoothies – just what menus we need to stay cool this summer.
Watermelon
This sweet, refreshing summer treat with more than ninety percent of water is a great way to stay cool on the hottest days in the year. Apart from its low calorie content, it is filled with vitamins A, B6, and C, amino acids, antioxidant and lycopene to boost your micronutrient while keeping you hydrated.
Yogurt
Packed with probiotics which is a great source of proteins, yogurt is proven to improve metabolism and gives your intestine health a boost. It can be a good summer snack protecting you against weight gain by filling you up and stay satiated for long.
Peaches
Peaches are good sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C, both of which are linked to improvements of immune system, eye health and weight loss. If you are trying to make a no-sugar-added desert, peaches are a good choice to go to enjoy with whole family.
Tomatoes
Whether in salad, salsa or soup, tomatoes are a cool way to fill your diet antioxidant rich while making every meal more satisfying. Better go for fresh garden produce and avoid ketchup as this sweet sauce is more sugar and preservatives than vegetable.
Grilled salmon
Lighten up you summer and all season menu with grilled salmon instead of some artery-blocking gravy burger to meet your weight loss goal. Make sure you go for wild caught as they are good for high omega-3 and low inflammation-promoting omega-6 levels.
Zucchini
This salad essential is loaded with riboflavin, a vitamin B type that’s needed for the red blood cell production and oxygen transportation to the cells. Try making pasta salad with red peppers, zucchini and corn and burn your calories faster.
Beetroot
This modest veggie is not commonly liked by many but is loaded with folate and nitrate. Beetroot also contains a micronutrient betaine that halts body fat formation and improves insulin sensitivity.
Grilled kebabs
Low fat proteins from fish, chicken, lamb or beef are often recommended for weight loss as they are excellent sources of amino acid leucine which helps maintaining lean muscles and reduce body fat. Try skewering your proteins sides with tomatoes, potatoes, onions and even fruits to enjoy a blast.
