Delicious Summer Fruits

Summer is without a doubt my favourite time of year.  Not only do I enjoy the warmer weather, but I also love summer food.  Meals are more assembled than cooked, and I love the delicious, fresh, crispness of raw foods.

Summer fruits seem to be full of sunshine.   Mangoes are a huge favourite in our family and they are getting more affordable by the season.  We’ve been enjoying them occasionally for breakfast or lunch.  According to the Australia Mango website (www.mangoes.net.au ) a 200g serve of ripe mango provides you with up to 3 times the recommended daily intake of Vitamins A and C.  They also contain more beta-carotene than any other fruit. Beta-carotene is an anti-oxidant that assists with the growth and repair of cells, tissues and skin.

One of the ways we enjoy our ‘mango fandangoes’ is to eat them with banana, and topped with yoghurt and desiccated or shredded coconut.  What a delicious tropical treat!

We also love eating summer berries and cherries.  Berries are particularly beneficial to health in the following ways:

-          They keep you mentally sharp, as they contain anthocyanidins, which cross the blood-brain barrier and locate in learning and memory centres in the brain.

-          Berries have a low glycemic index, meaning that they release their sugar slowly and keep you feeling fuller for longer – the perfect fruit for those with diabetes who need to regulate sugar release to their bodies.

-          Flavanoid packed berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, may one day lead to more effective cancer-prevention strategies.

-          The antioxidants in berries can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals that can lead to illness. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help improve your health, protect your skin and hair, and prevent certain diseases. All fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, but nutrient-rich berries are some of the absolute best sources.

(Sources:  http://www.joybauer.com/food-articles/berries.aspx and http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition-pictures/amazing-health-benefits-of-berries.aspx )

I usually like to top breakfast cereal with berries, or have them with muslei and yoghurt.  I also like to make an apple and berry crumble – delicious served with vanilla ice cream.  And berries are also great just on their own, or to liven up a cheese board.

Which seasonal fruits are your favourite and how do you enjoy them?  I’d love you to share your recipes, so send me a post or comment below or you can email me at livewelllivesmart@gmail.com .