It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…superfood? That’s right, superfoods are a real thing! They are defined as “nutrient rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being,” or, in other words, foods that are really, really good for you. From antioxidants to fiber, fatty acids to vitamins, the nutrients in these little vittles are ideal for feeling incredible! Now, you may be thinking that these foods that are sooooo good for you HAVE to taste gross…think again! Superfoods are delicious *and* are probably already a part of your everyday diet! We’ve put together a list of our favorite summer superfoods so you can dive right in to being your super self.

Watermelon

A summertime staple! Watermelon is over 90% water and one serving contains an average of only 46 calories, making it the perfect hydrating snack! It contains vitamins C and E which help to keep skin clear and smooth, and contains powerful anti-aging antioxidants that help keep skin wrinkle free. Watermelon is also rich in an amino acid called citrulline that our bodies convert to another amino acid called arginine. Arginine helps with blood circulation and stimulates healthy hair growth!

Cucumber

Whether a crunchy, light salad ingredient or a stand-alone snack, cucumber is another hydrating, vitamin packed treat. The high water content in cucumbers makes them the perfect summertime vegetable that can combat those long, hot summer days. Cucumbers contain sulfur and silicone which promote healthy hair growth. They can also be used topically! Have you ever seen pictures of ladies at the spa with cucumbers over their eyes? There’s a real reason they’re doing that: cucumbers have a soothing, cooling effect which helps decrease irritation, swelling, and inflammation.

Coconut

We know it sounds like just another fad, but coconut is truly amazing for our bodies. Studies have shown that coconut oil moisturizes and increases the lipid (healthy fat) content of dry skin, protects against hair damage and hair loss, and can block around 20% of UV rays from the sun. The best part is how versatile coconut oil is – it can be used as a gentle makeup remover, applied directly to the skin as a moisturizer or lip balm, added into your hair to make it stronger and shinier, AND you can eat it!

Avocado

This fruit – yes, avocado is a fruit – is the fattiest fruit of them all. But wait! Before you panic about that avocado toast you ate earlier and the guacamole you ate last night, we’re talking about the healthyfats. In avocados, these are polyunsaturated fats and monosaturated fats – they help protect you from sun damage and slow down the skin aging process. They also contain Vitamin C which helps keep our skin looking radiant, and they contain Vitamins B and E which help to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth by strengthening hair that has been damaged. If you’re feeling adventurous, give your hair a deep conditioning treatment by massaging mashed up avocado directly into your hair! You can also just eat them – they’re tasty and full of healthy fats that keep you feeling full a little longer!

Zucchini

Is it just us, or is grilled zucchini the tastiest summer veggie? Well, it is kind of just us because zucchini is *technically* a fruit, but who even cares about technicalities when it comes to something so yummy?! Oh – did we mention it’s also extremely good for your skin?? Jackpot! Zucchinis are high in manganese, a mineral that helps protect your skin from the sun. It also helps with the production of collagen, the thing that makes your skin retain its elasticity, and it can help fight off heat rashes! If that isn’t enough to sell you, zucchini is also high in Vitamins C and A, as well as potassium, folate, which help with hearth health, and lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol. Grill party anyone?

Dark Chocolate

You really thought we’d forget dessert?! No way. Dark chocolate reduces stress hormones, therefore lessening the collagen breakdown in your skin and preventing wrinkles. Before you head out to load up on Hershey bars, this only applies to dark chocolate with a 70% or more cocoa content! But hey, beggars can’t be choosers, right? That being said, it is still a tasty treat, and it stimulates endorphins which contain the chemical serotonin – the one that makes you feel happy – so it’s basically like dark chocolate is a natural anti-depressant. This superfood also helps protect against sun damage and increases skin hydration, as well as promoting healthy hair follicles and stimulating hair growth. So go ahead, treat yourself!!