These Are the Fruits and Vegetables In Season During Summer

If you’re trying to up your game when it comes to seasonal eating, this handy list of summer fruits and vegetables will help.

Why change your diet with the weather?

Many traditional health cultures like Ayurveda advocate for eating seasonally as the healthiest way to go, since your body syncs up with nature, and there’s some science to support the benefits. For one, during peak season, foods contain the most nutrients, and if you’re buying them locally, there’s less time for those nutrients to degrade as the produce makes its way to your plate. Some studies have shown veggies grown locally in season have significantly higher levels of important nutrients like vitamins.

There is also fascinating research that shows in hunter-gatherer tribes that only eat seasonally, the gut microbiome changes in sync with dietary changes throughout the year, suggesting seasonal eating could impact gut health (although exactly how that would apply to modern diets is TBD). Plus, buying seasonal produce from local growers supports your local economy and can be a more sustainable choice, too.

Okay, ready to load up your grocery tote with fresh summer fruits and vegetables? Just remember that this list is not nearly exhaustive and that depending on where in the country you live, what’s in season will vary based on weather and climate. The best way to determine what’s in season? Head to the farmers market with an open mind.

In the meantime, here’s a glimpse at what you can expect.

a side of science

The Best Summer Fruits and Vegetables

After the crunchy pop of spring, vegetable bounty explodes into summer. Meanwhile, fruit gets juicier and sweeter. Especially if you live in a region with cold winters, it doesn’t get much better than summer when it comes to produce.