Taking summer fruit to another level when it comes to poolside snacking. Here I’ve taken some of this season’s standouts: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and cantaloupe and transformed them into something “snack-able” and easy to prepare.
Once you get your hands on some skewers and popsicle sticks, all it takes is a quick run to the market and about 20-30 minutes of prep time. Simply slice up your fruit the day before going to the pool and string them onto your sticks accordingly. Place your watermelon pops into the freezer overnight so that they are nice and cool for a day at the pool (where they will likely melt!). Tasty, cool, refreshing, and full of vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition:
Strawberries: Besides their exceptional antioxidant profile, they are rich in vitamin C and manganese, both with key roles in collagen production, an important structural component of skin.
Cantaloupe: Vitamin C and vitamin A are standouts in this pastel-colored fruit. Vitamin C is not only a vitamin but also a potent antioxidant with several roles including scavenging free radicals, producing collagen, and enhancing iron absorption. It is important to note that fruit provides vitamin A in its precursor form which requires conversion in the body to become activated. Some of vitamin A’s noted effects include aiding vision and immunity as well as supporting reproductive health.
Blueberries: The blueberry buzz word is antioxidants and with good reason. Antioxidants help combat free radicals that can damage to our cells as well as DNA. These antioxidants also have well documented effects with respect to cardiovascular health. Repeated research has shown their ability to reduce cholesterol and lower triglycerides. When looking to maximize your antioxidant benefit, go organic. Recent studies suggest organically grown blueberries have a higher antioxidant capacity.
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