Spring’s return means the earth begins offering the best of its plant-based bounty to all the critters who rely on it for sustenance. It’s time to take maximum advantage of freshness, flavor, and nutrition.
Do you want to sweeten up your life? You can do so without affecting your blood sugar when you look to Mother Nature instead of cake. Here are nine refreshing, healthy fruits to add to your diet in spring.
1. Blueberries
Springtime means more fun in the sun, which is glorious for your smile and attitude but not as nice to your cells. All that UV light exposure means stepping up your antioxidant intake to stave off premature wrinkles and cancer – and blueberries are one of the best sources of these nutrients.
Blueberries go well with nearly any meal. They make fabulous pancakes or a sweet accent in a bitter greens salad.
2. Pineapple
Pineapple i the fruit to reach for if you have chronic pain. Why? It’s rich in bromelain, a phytochemical that reduces injury-induced neuropathic pain in laboratory animals.
Do you want a sweet alternative to dessert? Dried pineapple is like eating candy. It’s still high in sugar, but at least you also get a healthy dose of plant-based goodness, not chemicals.
3. Kiwi Fruit
The California kiwi fruit crop comes into its full sweet flavor in spring. These green gems taste like oranges but with a milder, pearlike tang versus an acidic one.
Add kiwi fruit to salads or use them to garnish tropical drinks. Some people even make kiwi fruit jelly for a new twist on the classic PB&J.
4. Apricots
You want to keep soft, dewy skin all season long and you don’t want all that extra sunshine to dry out your peepers. Keep yourself more supple from the inside out by including more apricots in your diet.
This fruit contains three antioxidants – vitamins A, C, and E – for visual and skin health. Antioxidants protect your skin from damaging free radicals, which can increase with sun exposure.
5. Honeydew
The first of three melons on this list, honeydew’s mild flavor and crisp texture make it a pleasing addition to nearly any fruit salad. It also tastes divine on its own or as a serving boat for vanilla ice cream.
While the interior flesh is green, the outside should look yellow for peak ripeness. The rind should feel slightly soft or springy.
6. Cherimoya
Do you have a touch of the winter blues lingering into April? If so, consider eating cherimoya. It’s rich in vitamin B6, which is critical for creating feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
You can eat this melon raw in a salad or by itself, cutting the rind in half to create a boat. It also tastes heavenly mixed with fruity yogurt or custard.
7. Goji Berries
Here’s another antioxidant powerhouse that can add color, flavor, and texture to your lunchtime salad. A bag of these berries lasts nearly forever, making them an economical choice in high-inflationary times.
Most goji berries you find in stores are dried like raisins. However, you can also find jams made from this fruit.
8. Strawberries
Strawberry picking is a rite of spring for many families. Early June is the prime time of year for much of the United States.
Red isn’t your only choice. White strawberries are tarter than their colorful cousins, adding a new twist to fruit salads.
9. Banana Melon
Rounding out the spring melon entourage are banana melons. These long fruits look like a cross between a banana and papaya but taste like cantaloupe.
You can slice it in half and scoop out the fruit like many melons. You can also use it to add an interesting twist to chutneys.
Refreshing, Healthy Fruits For Spring
The sun’s return means plant-based dining at its finest. Who needs sugar and artificial sweeteners when Mother Nature offers nutrition and great taste?
Dig into the above nine refreshing, healthy fruits this spring. Your taste buds and health will thank you.