When it comes to eating fruit, most people seem to stick to the basics of oranges, bananas and apples. Although these are good fruits to include in your healthy diet, there are a large variety of other nutritious fruits available during the “in season” summer months.

The following fruits can be eaten alone, or added to shakes, cereals, salads and other light summer meals. Pick some up on your next trip to the farmer’s market or produce section of your local supermarket and add extra flavor and nutrition to your summer diet.

Watermelon

This is a summer favorite which is not only delicious and refreshing, but also quite healthy. The 92% water content contained in watermelon makes it a great source for battling summer heat and dehydration. Besides being a good source of water, watermelon boasts several key vitamins and minerals. It contains 25% of your daily requirement of vitamin C in only a cup sized serving. Watermelon also provides vitamins A, B1 and B6 as well as lycopene, magnesium and potassium.

Pineapple

Pineapple should be included in meals or eaten as a snack throughout the day and not just reserved for your favorite beach beverage. This delicious tropical fruit also packs a nutritional wallop. Manganese is the main nutrient in pineapple which the body uses to properly process ascorbic acid, biotin and thiamine. It also helps the body break down and process fatty acids as well as to keep your thyroid gland healthy. However, there’s much more to benefit from eating pineapple such as its inclusion of fiber, vitamins B1 and C, and copper which work to raise energy levels and boost your immune system.

Kiwi

The sweet yet citrusy flavor of kiwi is also refreshing during the sweltering summer months. Kiwis contain a higher amount of vitamin C than oranges with 95% of your daily supply in one fruit. Kiwis are also a good source of dietary fiber and contain such goodies as vitamin E, copper, potassium and magnesium.

Blackberries

Whether baked into a cobbler, made into jam, blended into a smoothie or added to cereal, blackberries are one of the best fruits for summer treats. These black jewels are high in both potassium and dietary fiber (over 7 grams per cup) and also supply lutein for healthy eyes, vitamin C and K for a healthy immune system.

Guava

Not only is the guava fruit itself healthy, but the seeds also contain a nutritious punch. By consuming just the fruit, you get a rich supply of vitamins A and C, and fiber. However, guava also contains two important antioxidants used to fight free radicals; polyphenols and carotenoids. Should you also chow down on the seeds, you’ll get a good kick of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.

Papaya

Papaya is another good summer mixer since it can be sliced into a salad or blended into a nice whey protein shake. Papaya is packed with vitamin C, supplying well over 300% of your daily requirement in one serving. You also get a good amount of vitamins A and E as well as two important enzymes (papain and chymopapain) which work to digest proteins and reduce inflammation in the body.