7 seasonal vegetables you must eat in summer to stay fit

Summer leaves you tired and dehydrated which is why you drink lots of juices, carbonated and aerated drinks, and artificial soft drinks that are high in preservatives. Even though these options make you feel cool for some time, the effect is not long-lasting.

To ensure that your body stays cool, healthy, and fit all through the summer, you must include seasonal vegetables in your daily diet during this season.

Mushrooms

White button mushrooms are a very good source of minerals and vitamin B. Since they are not vegetables in real but fungi, they are one of the very few natural sources of Vitamin D apart from sunlight. That is why they must be included in daily diet during summer as they are abundantly grown when there is a good amount of sunlight.

Sweet potatoes

Unlike potatoes, sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index and are hence healthy for those with diabetes. One sweet potato gives you 377% of your daily requirement of Vitamin A apart from fibers. In summer when fresh leafy vegetables are fewer in number, replacing regular potatoes with sweet potatoes can increase the nutritional value of your meal.

Cucumber

Cucumber consists of 95% of water and hence is very low in calories. Its one-cup intake gives you 32% of Vitamin K. It also satisfies your palate with its crunchiness and freshness and serves as a quick snack. It is abundantly grown during summer and keeps you dehydrated during the hot tropical sunny days.

Eggplant

Eggplant belongs to the nightshade family of plants like potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes. Rich in fiber they are also very low in calories and very filling thus giving a feeling of satiation very quickly. Eggplants absorb lots of oil so it is better to roast and eat them instead of trying fried recipes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower belongs to a group of plant species such as kale, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. All these vegetables contain a phytonutrient called sulforaphane which has cancer-fighting properties. Since most of the fiber in these vegetables is soluble fiber, it is absorbed slowly thereby helping gut bacteria and controlling spikes in blood sugar levels. One cup of cauliflower offers 85% of vitamin C that is recommended for daily intake.

Zucchini

Zucchini is also full of a lot of flesh and water and is very low in calories. It offers 9% of recommended potassium for daily intake.

Green beans

There are different types of edible green beans largely available during the summer season. Fresh beans are loaded with lots of vitamins, are rich in fiber, and keep the stomach full for long hours.