Healthy Spring/Summer Fruits and Vegetables

Monday, March 11, 2013, 18:59 [IST]

Spring is a season that marks the end of winter and welcomes summer. The days are getting longer and nights are getting shorter! Apart from the day and night timing changes, even the weather is changing.

This change of weather means that different varieties of vegetables and fruits will be available in the market. For example, you can get oranges till late spring but, ideally it is a winter fruit that is most widely available in the months of November and December. Hybrid fruits and vegetables can be available throughout the year but nothing can beat the season special foods.

During spring-summer season, you can find many fruits & vegetables that are healthy and available whole year. For example, apples are found throughout the year and are loaded with health benefits. However, asparagus, blueberries, apricots, artichokes and garlic are common spring-summer foods that are harvested in this season. If you want to eat some seasonal foods, then you can relish on these spring summer vegetables and fruits. Check out the list..

Spring-summer fruits and vegetables:

Apricots

If grown in warmer areas, apricots will be available in markets by the end of spring season. The golden orange fruit is rich in antioxidants that are good for the heart. It is also low in calories which aids weight loss.

Artichokes

Rich in fiber, calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorus, artichokes is one of the healthy vegetables that is found in spring and early fall.

Blueberries

The summer fruit is rich in antioxidants that promotes weight loss and also keeps the heart healthy and protects it from diseases.

Carrots

Although found throughout the year, carrots can be enjoyed in the spring-summer season too! The baby carrots are widely available in markets in the late spring and early summer season.

Fava beans

This spring vegetable offers cardiovascular benefits and also aids weight loss. If you are on a diet, do include this nutrient-rich spring food in your meal.

Radish

You can enjoy this vegetable in spring season. However, the small red and white bulbs are anti-inflammatory and rich in anti-oxidants that benefits the health.

New potatoes

Small new potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables of the spring-summer season. Steam or grill them to enjoy the numerous health benefits of this spring summer vegetable.

Vidalia Onions

Different types of onions are available year round but, the vidalia onions are sweet in taste and can be used in salad or for dressing dishes. The sulphur-rich vidalia onions work wonders in curing respiratory ailments like asthama.

Avocado

There are many health, skin and hair benefits of avocados. It is typically considered a spring fruit on the West Coast and fall fruit in Florida. Avocado is rich in carotenoids, folate and good fats that are healthy.

Fennel

This vegetable is one vegetable that is widely available in the spring season. Fennel contains phytonutrients like flavonoids rutin, quercitin etc that are powerful anti-oxidants that reduces cancer risk and throws out carcinogenic toxins from the colon that causes cancer.

Garlic/green garlic

There are several health benefits of this spring green vegetable. Apart from adding aroma to the dish, green garlic is good for heart, fights gastro-intestinal infections and boost immune system.

Lemons

Available in winter and spring, lemon is widely used for preparing pickles in this season. Lemon aids weight loss, flush-out toxins and is good for the skin too.

Cucumbers

The water-rich green vegetable has numerous nutritious and health benefits. You can have it in salad too to stay hydrated and cure digestive problems.

Chillies

They not only add spice to the dish but can also offer some nutritional benefits to the overall health. Chillies boosts body metabolism and also aids weight loss.

Figs

Available in summer and fall, you can enjoy figs this season. Figs are also an aphrodisiac that can spice-up your love life.

Gooseberries

Commonly known as Amla, gooseberries are rich in Vitamin C, fiber, potassium and minerals that are good for the overall health.

Grapefruit

The juicy bitter fruit aids weight loss and prevents arthritis. They are available throughout winter and spring season.

Nectarines

Nectarines look similar to peaches and are available in summer season. Beta-carotene and Vitamin C anti-oxidants makes it a healthy and nutritious fruit.

Pineapple

The sweet and juicy tropical fruit are packed with vitamins and minerals which strengthens bones, prevents cold and cough, keeps the gums healthy and improves digestion.