The hot and humid summertime though a lovely season can be tiresome. Besides a cool drink that you would love to have, we have listed a few summer vegetables that will love to munch.
You can combat heatwave by having a diet rich in summer vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes, and beetroot. These lovely summer vegetables keep the system cool and you healthy, rejuvenated and kicking, even as the sun beats you down and when the heat makes you lethargic, dull and listless.
Consuming seasonal produce is always good practice. They blossom naturally unlike unseasonal vegetables which are artificially cultivated. Therefore they taste fresh and are full of nutrients. So while you struggle to ‘look cool but feel hot’, pick up summer vegetables from our list given below and enjoy.
Let us look at these vegetables individually and go through their benefits so that you can consciously and confidently incorporate them into your diet of veggies during the summer.
Cucumber
Cool as a cucumber! If you want to be fresh and crisp start eating one. It is a popular summer vegetable that is consumed in great quantity during this hot season. This is because it contains 95% water which absorbs the body heat to keep it cool. Apart from calming your system, cucumber regulates bowel movement, decreases free radicals, keeps the blood sugar regulated and helps in weight loss. It is rich in fiber, antioxidants, essential minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamins like C and K, and is low in fats.
Eat it as cucumber marinated salad or simply cut them in julienne style. Squeeze some lime juice on it and sprinkle salt . For additional flavor, sprinkle sugar to make this salad style munchies delicious. Or simply wash and bite into them… Just eating a cucumber makes one feel refreshed. So pick up one!
Tomato
This is actually a fruit that is an attractive red, tasty, healthy and tempting summer vegetable. It is known as a nutrient-dense super-food and is considered an all-rounder veggie for its benefits to our well-being.
It does not just keep the skin glowing and aids in weight loss, but it also supports the health of your heart. Tomatoes contain vitamin C and are rich in antioxidants that prevent a certain type of cancer. With essential minerals like potassium and choline, this phytonutrient-rich fruit has an impressive list of health benefits that will make you love it. It is high in beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein to keep our eyes healthy and vision strong. Tomatoes can be eaten raw or cooked. You can add to the taste of sandwiches and wraps, salsas, salads, and sauces.
Word of caution: However, those of us who are suffering from kidney stones or acid reflux should consult their nutritionist regarding its intake.
Kale and Other Summer Greens
Kale is one of the healthiest greens available considering it’s full of antioxidants, including isothiocyanates; vitamins C, A and K; manganese; copper; magnesium; potassium; and more.
Other heat-tolerant greens to try in the summer include Manoa lettuce and mizuna, which have bright colors and yield greens every three to five weeks.
Zucchini/Summer Squash
With loads of different types to try — such as delicata, crookneck, cousa, pattypans or yellow summer squash — these veggies are low in calories, easy to blend into recipes, and good sources of vitamin C and B6.
Eggplant
These purple veggies hold unique compounds within their dark-colored skins, including polyphenols such as anthocyanins, the same type found in berries and red wine. Eggplant can help fight free radical damage and also provides you with manganese and folate, which support bone and metabolic health.
Green chili
It may sound unbelievable the spicy-hot green chili is known to decrease body temperature. This is all thanks to the compound capsaicin which also helps to fight the common cold.
Packed with nutrients this simple-looking green chilly is tremendously good for health. It abundant amount of vitamin C boosts the immune system and keeps the skin glowing. It promotes heart health by preventing atherosclerosis and blood clots. Green chili is a natural source of iron and is ideal for those with low hemoglobin levels. This spicy bomb also helps in the absorption of iron. Beta-carotene in it promotes eye health and good vision and the presence of antioxidants in green chilly help prevent heart disease, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Green chilly help boost metabolism and is good for preventing hair loss.
Therefore, dare if you must but do munch on green chilies during your meals. It’s a healthy bite.
Lemon
The entire lemon i.e. pulp, juice and rind keeps you healthy. The vitamin C present in lime raises immunity levels while decreasing the chance of stroke and heart disease by reducing LDL cholesterol. Thanks to citric acid kidney stones are prevented. Lemon is known to prevent anemia because it boosts the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. And yes lime juice helps in healthy weight loss.
Drizzle some lemon juice in your curry or soups to enhance the taste of your meals. Lemon rind for desserts and lemon slices in drinks so is very popular. A cool glass of lemon juice can help you beat the heat effectively.
Bell Peppers
Whether you like sweet, spicy, green, yellow or red peppers best, you’ll benefit from a high intake of vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, when you consume them. Spicy peppers, which contain the compound called capsaicin, also support a healthy metabolism and can help curb your appetite.
Basil
One of the most popular herbs in the world, basil’s signature sweet taste makes a great addition to both meals and beverages. Basil is also used to make essential oil because it’s very high in protective compounds, including eugenol, linalool and citronellal, which help fight inflammation.
Garlic
Garlic is the best dietary source of the compound called allicin, which has the natural ability to fight pathogens and help protect against infections. You can even save garlic peels and use them in many ways, such as for composting and warding off insects from your garden.