This monthly feature was written by Nutrition Sciences Services Practice Manager Kaitlin Poillon and Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Nutrition & Performance Nyree Dardarian from Drexel’s nutrition counseling and the Department of Nutrition Services in the College of Nursing & Health Professions.

Summer is officially here which means summer produce is back in season! The summertime months provide some of the best fruits and vegetables of the year.

• Hydrating, delicious and full of vitamin C, watermelon is a fan favorite.
• Cantaloupe is packed with beta-carotene, a carotenoid that can be converted to vitamin A, which aids in eye health, red blood cell production, and immunity.
• Peaches, with their fuzzy skin, contain fluoride, a mineral important in cavity prevention.
• Blueberries provide ample amounts of vitamin K, promoting blood clotting abilities in the body.
• One of the most consumed berries in the world, strawberries have copious amounts of vitamin C to keep the immune system strong.
• All fruits provide another excellent source of hydration during the hot summer months.

Foods that are easily accessible and in plain sight are more likely to be consumed. Increase fruit intake by being sure to always have a variety on hand. Prepare fruit as soon as you get home from the grocery store, cutting it up into snack-sized pieces and placing it in reachable containers in the refrigerator. Also, keep fruit that does not require refrigeration, such as apples, bananas and oranges, in a bowl on the counter so it is easy to grab if needed on-the-go or as a quick snack.

Make eating fruit FUN! Skewer watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe and blueberries into fruit kabobs for a snack. Make your own popsicles using popsicle molds, fruit slices of your choice and 100% fruit juice with a little help from the freezer. Mix it up and prepare a fruit pizza for dessert with all your favorite fruit toppings. There are tons of ways to get extra nutrients in throughout the day. Be creative, there are no rules!

Check in with the Registered Dietitians at Drexel University for more tips. If you’re an employee on the Independence Blue Cross health insurance plan, you are covered for up to SIX FREE VISITS per year. Inquire at NutritionAppts@drexel.edu.