Summer health is all about choosing foods that keep you cool and balanced.

At this point, most people know the basics of what you’ve got to do to be healthy.

Eating nutrient-dense foods is a good starting point.

You also need to move your body regularly.

And it helps to throw some mental practices like meditation into the mix as well to keep your mind healthy too.

But what most people don’t realize is that your health needs change throughout the year.

Because the climate around you influences how you feel in your body and mind.

Just think about what kinds of foods and activities you crave when it’s cold and rainy in the middle of autumn vs. when it starts getting warm and sunny in spring.

Cold rainy fall weather generally makes you want to snuggle up under a warm blanket, read a book, and eat some hot soup with toast.

But most people want to eat fresh, light, and crispy foods and do more vigorous activities when spring comes around.

Those cravings are your body’s wisdom talking.

Because from a holistic standpoint, health is about balancing your internal landscape with your external environment.

And when you know how to do that, you feel healthier, more energized, balanced, and joyful than you ever thought possible.

All of those uncomfortable symptoms that you thought you just had to live with can disappear.

Now, I’m not going to lie.

The nitty-gritty of this balancing act can get kind of overwhelming when you’ve never thought of your health holistically before.

And that’s why I offer customized nutrition and holistic wellness plans, so you don’t have to understand all the details of seasonal eating to reap the benefits.

But there are some general guidelines that will help pretty much everyone when it comes to summer health.

And knowing what to eat to balance the summer heat is a great way to start.

That’s why I’m giving you this starter list of some of the healthiest foods to eat in summer.

Feel free to print this out and keep it on your fridge as inspiration all summer long!

Early Summer:

Sweet Peas
Beets
Carrots
Celery
Fennel
Baby Potatoes
Turnips

Mid Summer:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
String Beans
Summer Squash
Cucumbers

Late Summer:

Eggplant
Peppers
Tomatoes
Radicchio
Endive

All Summer Long:

Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, cilantro, thyme, basil, dill, rosemary, sage, oregano, etc.
Swiss chard
Spinach
Kale

Apples
Berries
Dates
Watermelon
Peaches
Plums

Avocados
Lemons + limes

Ghee
Avocado oil
Olive oil

Chickpea flour

Nuts, seeds, nut butters

Barley
Quinoa
Basmati rice
Whole wheat

Tofu
Fish, especially white fish

Chickpeas
White beans
Mung beans

Yogurt

Tamari

Coconut water
Rose water
Green and white tea

Lavender
Chamomile

Cardamom
Coriander
Fennel seed
Turmeric
Sea salt
Black pepper

When It’s Hot + Humid:

Eat more astringent foods like rose or jasmine tea, as well as some salty and bitter flavors in moderation
Eat more drying foods like crackers

When It’s Hot + Dry:

Drink plenty of cool (but never iced) fluids
Eat more fruits
Steam vegetables
Eat summer soups

In Summer, Always Avoid:

Iced drinks and foods
Extremely hot food
Spicy foods
Heavy, greasy, and oily foods
Ingredients you can’t pronounce, processed foods, preservatives
Refined ingredients (white flour, white sugar, etc.)
Stimulants
Alcohol
Fermented foods
Red onion

Want more?

Enter your name + email below to get a FREE sample summer meal-plan and shopping list.

And now I’d love to hear from you.

What’s your favorite summer food?

Leave a comment and share a recipe if you’d like, I could always use more inspiration!