A cold fruit salad has health benefits and is a refreshing snack. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert who also serves the East Valley cities of Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Tempe, Chandler, and the surrounding area.
Summer has arrived, and for us here in the Valley of the Sun that means some serious heat is on the way. As the temperatures push past the 100 degree mark in Phoenix, we thought it was a good time to offer a few “beat the heat” health tips. By the way, you don’t have to live in a desert climate to benefit from these reminders—hot is hot wherever you may be!
Tip #2: Keep plenty of fresh fruit on hand.
There’s nothing like a cold, sweet snack to help you cool off on a hot day. Instead of reaching for the ice cream, though, consider indulging in a tasty cold fruit salad!
Just look at the health benefits you’ll find in that yummy bowl of fruit:
*Bananas and pineapples are an excellent source of potassium, an important electrolyte that your body needs to keep your muscles and nerves functioning properly.
*Cantaloupe is a good source of vitamin A that keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections.
*The vitamin C in the strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes helps heal cuts and wounds and keep teeth and gums healthy.
*Watermelon is packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
Plus, these raw fruits are a good source of fiber to help lower cholesterol.
If you need to take it “to go,” try tossing your favorite fruits into a blender with some almond or coconut milk to make a delicious smoothie. (For more smoothie ideas, visit our recipes pages!)
So keep these great tasting, healthy snacks ready in the refrigerator all summer long. It makes beating the heat a real pleasure!
