Boost your health with these seasonal summertime superfoods

Whether it’s a picnic on the beach or a barbecue in the back garden, food tastes infinitely better when it’s enjoyed outside, especially when savoured in good company on a sunny day! If you want to up the ante this summer, the health experts at YourGP have a few suggestions of seasonal summertime superfoods to add to your salads, sandwiches, soups and stir-fries to please your palate and boost your health.

Asparagus

The British asparagus season traditionally runs from St. George’s Day on 23rd April until the Summer Solstice on 21st June. It’s a short season so it’s best to make the most of it while you can, because those delicious spears are packed with folate, vitamin K and fibre.

Courgettes

It’s so important to stay hydrated during the hot and humid months, so given their high water content, courgettes are the ideal choice for adding into summertime dishes. Plus, they’re low in calories and high in manganese and vitamin A.

Cucumbers

Like courgettes, cucumbers are high in water content, making them an excellent choice for hydrating. They also contain beneficial antioxidants and silica, so chop them up and add them into every salad.

New Potatoes

New potatoes such as Jersey Royals are low in fat and provide a good dose of vitamin C and potassium, making them an ideal accompaniment for any barbecue.

Spinach

This leafy green is packed with vitamins A, C, and K1, as well as essential minerals such as calcium, folic acid and iron, so toss a handful of these leaves into your salad for an easy way to support your heart health, bones and eyes this season.

Strawberries

For the best tasting strawberries, nothing beats growing and picking your own. And you can have a go even if you don’t have a large garden – strawberries do perfectly well when grown in patio pots or hanging baskets. They’re bursting with antioxidants, fibre and vitamin C, making them great support for the immune system and skin health.

Tomatoes

Did you know tomatoes help to protect skin cells from UV rays? Plus they’re rich in potassium, vitamin K and lycopene. No wonder a caprese salad is such a popular summer starter!

Watercress

Here’s a fun food fact – watercress is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans. It contains high levels of vitamin C, K and A, as well as iron, making it the ideal addition to summer salads, soups and stir-fries.

Get tailored nutrition and lifestyle advice from the experts

YourGP’s Dr Phimister is on a mission to help people get the most from their meals. He is currently adding the finishing touches to his book, Eating for Health – A GP’s Guide to the Food Maze, in which he discusses the best ways to fuel your body.

Book an appointment with Dr Phimister and he will be happy to provide tailored nutrition and lifestyle advice, designed to improve your overall health and wellbeing, Use our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 556 2525 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you, either with Dr Phimister or any of our highly experienced doctors.