10 ‘In Season In Spring Foods' That You've Just Gotta Have

1. Cherries are in season from May to August.

Without a doubt, one of my favorite fruits is cherries. Well, cherries when they're in season because otherwise, they taste too watery or they feel too mushy. Anyway, as far as health benefits go, cherries are good for you because they contain a good amount of protein, fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium. They are also rich in antioxidants as well as have anti-inflammatory properties in them. Not only that, but if you're looking for a fruit that will keep your heart healthy, improve arthritis-related symptoms and fight free radicals that can lead to aging, cherries will have your back in this area too.

Something else that's cool about cherries is, that since they have melatonin in them, they are a low-calorie snack that you can enjoy before turning in at night. Also, since they've got the plant compound phytoestrogens in them, cherries are great for menopausal women if you're looking for a natural way to heighten the estrogen levels in your system.

Try This: Northwest Cherry Salsa Recipe

2. Carrots are in season from May to sometimes December.

Whenever I know I'm low in fiber and I want something light to snack on, I'll get some bite-sized carrots. Fiber aside, carrots also have Vitamin B6 and K, potassium, biotin, and beta-carotene (an antioxidant that your body converts to Vitamin A). Some awesome things about the health benefits of carrots are they do everything from lower your cholesterol levels and support your eye health to help to keep your skin glowing as they boost your immunity.

Try This: Sauteed Carrots Recipe

3. Mangoes are in season from May to September.

Stringiness aside, hands down, one of my favorite fruits is mangoes. And yes, I can definitely tell the difference between what one is like when I have it in season and when I attempt to eat one out of season (the latter? Please avoid it at all costs). It's kind of crazy how something so sweet can be filled with so many different nutrients yet mangoes are a really good source of fiber, protein, Vitamin C, copper, and folate. Mangoes also have vitamins A, B5, E, K, potassium, manganese, and magnesium in them.

Thanks to their antioxidants, this is another food that is great for your immune system. The Vitamin C in them will help you to produce collagen which gives your hair and skin more "bounce" and youthfulness. Since mangoes contain prebiotic fiber, they're good for your gut health and, if you happen to be diabetic, this fruit is one you can enjoy without any fear or guilt because its average glycemic index is somewhere around 51. 51 and lower is a glycemic food that diabetics are typically able to eat.

Try This: Thai Mango Salad Recipe

4. Scallions are in season from late March to August. 

Scallions are a vegetable that comes from the allium (onions, garlic, shallot, leeks, chives) family. If you've never had them before, they basically taste like onions except much milder. Scallions contain protein, plant fiber, folate, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. If you're looking for the kind of food that will strengthen your heart, improve your bone health, lessen period discomfort and even hinder the growth of cancer cells, look no further than this veggie. And when are scallions in season? From late March to August but it is at its peak during the spring season.

Try This: Chinese Scallion Pancake Recipe

5. Pineapples are in season from March to July.

When it comes to Vitamin C's RDI (recommended dietary intake) in pineapples, it really is off the charts. You can get a whopping 131 percent with each serving. Pineapples also have 76 percent of the manganese that your system needs along with fiber, protein, and respectable amounts of Vitamin B, folate, potassium, and magnesium. The antioxidants in pineapples have a great reputation for reducing oxidative stress. Their digestive enzymes can make digesting food a lot easier on your body.

Believe it or not, pineapples can fight bodily inflammation (including arthritis thanks to the protein-digesting enzyme bromelain that's in it) and they're an immune-boosting fruit that totally has your back if you're looking for something delicious that can actually help you to lose weight.

Try This: Grill-Roasted Pineapple Recipe

6. Artichokes are in season from March to May.

I'm assuming that the way most of us are familiar with artichokes is spinach and artichoke dip. Well, every time you indulge in some, you're taking in a ton of fiber and protein, for starters. Artichokes are also a veggie that has vitamins C and K, folate, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron in them. If you're looking for food that will help to lower your cholesterol levels while also helping to regulate your blood pressure, artichokes can totally make that happen.

Something else that's great about this vegetable is the antioxidants cynarin and silymarin are beneficial in boosting the health of your liver (which is always a good thing). If you've got IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), artichokes can bring you some relief. They also contain cancer-fighting properties and the folate that's in them can reduce the inflammation that is associated with allergies.

Try This: Roasted Artichokes Recipe

7. Apricots are in season from May to July. 

Did you know that the other name for apricots is Armenian plums? They're a fruit that is smaller than a peach and tastes a lot like a plum. Anyway, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potassium, calcium, beta carotene, fiber, and protein are what apricots are a pretty good source of. If you want a type of food that will protect your skin from damaging sun rays, will promote good gut health, has non-heme iron in it (iron that comes from plant-based foods), strengthens bones, and boosts your metabolism, bite into an apricot. You won't regret it.

Try This: Apricot Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

8. Peas are in season in April.

Peas and rice are bomb. And while a lot of us tend to get peas from a can, they do taste different when they are fresh, in season, and still in the pod (via your produce section). And when are peas in season? During the spring, and in April to be exact. What makes peas amazing is that they are a good source of zinc, protein, fiber, vitamins A, B, C, and E as well as antioxidants, iron, and phytonutrients (plant chemical compounds). They're great for your health because the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are good for your eyes, plus they help to regulate blood sugar levels. Not only that but the nutrient coumestrol can protect you from getting stomach cancer and, if you're looking to increase your man's sperm motility, peas are down for doing that too (if they're snow peas, that is).

Try This: Green Pea Dip Recipe

9. Strawberries are in season from April to June.

I'm gonna be honest. Something that irks the mess outta me is seeing strawberries in the produce section year-round. I don't care if the national strawberry season is supposedly every month but December or not, I'm rocking with the deep south farmers who say strawberries are in season from the spring through the summer (you can definitely taste the difference—big time!).

One reason why I think it's fitting that strawberries are at their best during the warmer months is that they contain 91 percent water, so they can definitely keep you well-hydrated. This is a fruit that also has fiber, antioxidants, manganese, folate, and potassium in them. Snack on some if you want to protect yourself from heart disease, regulate your blood sugar, boost your immunity, improve your vision, reduce inflammation, strengthen your immunity or keep the elastin in your skin longer.

Try This: Ricotta and Strawberry Toast Recipe

10. Dandelion greens are in season from March to June.

While virtually all dark leafy greens are good for you, various ones are at their best during different times of the year. Take dandelion greens, for example. Spring is when you can get the most potent combination of its vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, along with iron, calcium, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants. The bioactive compounds in these kinds of greens will help to reduce bodily inflammation, its chicoric and chlorogenic acids will help to keep your blood sugar levels under control, plus dandelion greens contain other properties that help to reduce cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure, keep your liver healthy, support healthy digestion, keep you regular and protect your skin from sun damage. So, if you want to try a different kind of greens than spinach, kale, or collards, consider dandelion. It will literally do your body good.

Try This: Pasta with Dandelion Greens, Garlic, and Pine Nuts Recipe

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