TOP 5 Healthiest Summer Foods-JUST FOOD.
I bet you didn't know what healthy effects these summer foods have on your bod...
Welcome to another [not] episode of JUST FOOD. where we share healthy alternatives to some of your favorite meals!
But lets be real, buying food is expensive--and I just booked a vacation. So funds are low and I'm eating mac-n-cheese out of a red solo cup like the good-ol' college days...
SO, rather then giving you a HOW-TO video; I have the TOP 5 healthiest foods for you this summer.
And I'll put money down that you had NO idea some of these foods thad the health benefits that they do!
(Seriously... I'll put money down. Cause I'm broke and any little bit helps)
- 1
Corn
Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn. And did you know that two antioxidants—lutein and zeaxanthin—in corn actually is like putting on a pair of shades?! Corn helps form macular pigment that filters out some of the sun’s damaging rays. SERIOUSLY.
The same antioxidants may also help lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration—the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60.
- 2
Ice Coffee
An iced pick-me-up is a great way to start your summer mornings. Better yet: drinking a single cup of coffee daily may lower your risk of developing skin cancer! Especially with the sun beating down on you all summer--this may give you some reassurance.
In one study, those who drank one cup of caffeinated coffee a day reduced their risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer by about 10 percent. And the more they drank—up to about 6 cups or so per day—the lower their risk. Decaf didn’t seem to offer the same protection.
Just prepare to be hyper
- 3
Cherries
You may have heard that drinking tart cherry juice can help you get a better night’s sleep and quell post-workout pain, but did you know that compounds in tart cherries may also help you slim down and get leaner? The anthocyanins in tart cherries activate a molecule that helps rev up fat burning and decrease fat storage!
- 4
Tomatoes
We're known for them here in Jersey, so why not take advantage of their health benefits!
There’s no question that sunscreen should be your first line of defense against the blazing summer sun. But eating tomatoes could give you a little extra protection: consuming more lycopene—the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red—may protect your skin from sunburn.
- 5
Watermelon
Mmm my favorite! Staying hydrated keeps your memory sharp and your mood stable. It also helps keep your body cool (by sweating) during hot summer months.
The good news is that you don’t just have to drink water. You can eat it, too: in addition to delivering skin-protecting lycopene, watermelon is 92 percent water (hence the name). FYI being more full on water helps you to be satisfied on fewer calories!