As I vegetarian, I naturally eat a lot of produce, but I’m always on the lookout for the healthiest fruits and vegetables, the ones that pack the biggest nutritional punch.

Summer is a great time to get the very best of the best, as many of them come into season during the summer months. You can find several lists of these nutritional superstars on the internet. LiveStrong.com has a good one, as does CanadianLiving.com. Here are five (in no particular order) of the healthiest ones that ripen in summer.

1. Dark berries; such as raspberries, black raspberries, cranberries, blueberries and blackberries.

These delicious little things are loaded with Vitamin C but they also pack an awful lot of antioxidants in one sweet bite. The darker the berry, the more antioxidants it generally has. Antioxidants not only fight aging, they also fight disease, including some cancers. Blackberries are considered one of the best. To quote from Canadian Living,

Blackberries get their deep purple colour from the powerful antioxidant anthocyanin, which may help reduce the risk of stroke and cancer. Studies show that blackberry extract may help stop the growth of lung cancer cells.”

2. Mangoes

Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits. We travel to Florida quite a bit to visit relatives, and I’m always gorging on mangoes while I’m there. They’re at their best in summer and are widely available everywhere. They’re not only loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants, they also have a ton of fiber in them.

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3. Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the red fruits that nutritionists recommend for their antioxidant content. They’re also great for weight loss. They have a lot of fiber and a huge amount of water, which helps you to feel fuller longer.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to white potatoes. They have much less starch (which turns quickly into sugar), even though they taste sweeter. They also have a great deal of Vitamin C and other vitamins, more protein than white potatoes and a good deal of fiber.

5. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is probably my favorite melon and I wish I had more success growing it. (Any tips from fellow Californians?) One of the great things about cantaloupe is that like most orange fruits and vegetables, it’s loaded with beta-carotene, which aids vision and eye health and may even help prevent cataracts.

These are just a few of the healthiest fruits and vegetables that are starting to ripen right now. You may see them in the produce section throughout the year (from faraway climes) but now is when you’ll get the freshest and more local varieties.

I’d love to hear what some of your favorite summer fruits and vegetables are, especially if you grow your own!