In the fall and winter, many of us gravitate towards hearty comfort foods that warm up our bodies and satisfy our souls. But summertime is a great time to lighten up your diet and embrace fresh fruits and veggies that are in season.
Summer is a busy time with road trips, kids’ camps, and plenty to see and do in the great outdoors. That’s why we love pulling out the trusty blender in the summer months to make fresh, light snacks and quick meals a breeze. Here are some recommendations for seasonal summer foods to add to your healthy smoothies and a few smoothie recipe ideas for inspiration.
Healthy Seasonal Summer Foods
Shopping for in-season produce is a great way to eat fresh and actually save money too. When fruits and vegetables don’t have to be shipped in from halfway around the world, both your health and your wallet benefit.
Here are some in-season fruits and vegetables to look for at your local farmers’ market or even at the chain supermarket to guide your shopping:
Summer Fruits:
Summer Vegetables:
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Corn
- Radishes
- Beets
- Rhubarb
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
Smoothie Recipe Ideas
It’s easy to incorporate many of these summer fruits and vegetables in your smoothies, especially if you live in an area with ample fresh produce. If not, you can always reap the benefits of these healthy foods with natural supplements that utilize the whole fruit or vegetable with no unnecessary preservatives or chemicals.
Here are a few of our favorite summer smoothie recipes to give a whirl in your blender at home.
1. Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie
These are two of the most perfect fruits for summer, and it’s easy to make a great smoothie with them that’s healthy and that will keep you feeling full for a while. As an added bonus, the chia seeds in this smoothie add omega-3 fatty acids to your blend.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup strawberries
- 2 cups watermelon, cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tbsp. chopped ginger
- 3 tbsp. chia seeds
DIRECTIONS:
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend, serve immediately, and enjoy!
2. Peach Cobbler Delight Smoothie
Peaches are delicious and refreshing in the summertime, and smoothies like this are a great way to curb your sweet tooth and eat dessert in a healthier way. This is another great smoothie recipe that isn’t all just fruit and liquids. With oats and flax seed, it’s an excellent choice for a quick meal on-the-go that’s guilt-free and will fuel you with energy for your day.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups peaches, sliced
- 1 cup almond milk
- 3 tbsp. old fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp. flax seed
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. honey
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend, serve immediately, and enjoy!
3. Carrot, Mango, Banana Smoothie
Many people are hesitant about adding vegetables to smoothies, but we love combining both fruits and veggies into one blender for the best of both worlds. You might not believe it initially, but carrots actually go amazingly with summer fruits like mangoes and bananas. Here’s a simple recipe to try it out.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup mango, in chunks
- 1 medium banana, sliced
- 1.5 cups orange juice
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend, serve immediately, and enjoy!