5 types of Berries that must be a part of your summer diet

What’s better than savouring fresh and juicy berries during hot scorching summer days? Berries not only tone down sweet cravings with their natural sweetness but are also the perfect snack to have when you are hungry. As compared to other fruits, berries contain the maximum amount of antioxidants and that is why you must include them in your diet when they are available in abundance, that is summer. Here are five types of berries that you must enjoy during summers. (all image credits-istock)

These sweet and juicy berries are a summer classic. They can be eaten on their own or used in a variety of recipes, including smoothies, salads, and desserts. Need a super refreshing drink made with strawberries? Blend a cup of chopped strawberries with ½ cup of milk and ½ banana. Add vanilla essence if you wish and pour it into a glass. Enjoy your healthy and tasty smoothie.

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and their mild sweet flavour is perfect for summer. They can be eaten fresh or used in baked goods, jams, and sauces. A delicious recipe that you can try with this berry is Blueberry Cookie. To start with, freeze ½ cup of blueberries for some time. In a bowl, add ½ cup soft butter along with thawed blueberries. Whisk them together. Add 1 cup flour, ¼ cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt. Fold the ingredients to make a dough. Freeze the dough for about 30 minutes. Later, scoop the dough into balls and bake them to make cookies.

These juicy, sweet-tart berries are perfect for snacking on during hot summer days. They can also be used in smoothies, salads, and baked goods. You can add a handful of blackberries to your favourite salad recipe, as blackberries gel well with all types of fruits and vegetables that go in salads. You can also make a salad dressing with mashed blackberries, vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice.

Raspberries are another summer favorite, with a sweet-sour flavour that pairs well with many other summer fruits. They can be eaten fresh or used in desserts and jams. A summer-special recipe that you can make with raspberries is Sorbet. Just freeze 2 cups of raspberries for about 3 hours. Then add to a food processor or a blender along with 2 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Add the mixture to an airtight container and cover with a lid. Freeze again for 3 hours and your Raspberry Sorbet is ready to be served.

Cherries are a delicious summer fruit with a sweet and juicy flavor. They can be eaten fresh or used in baked goods, salads, and cocktails. To make a delicious Cherry Smoothie, add 1 cup of de-seeded cherries to a blender and give a blend. Add ½ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 6 soaked almonds and 1 tbsp honey. Blend to form a smoothie and enjoy.

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