14 Summer Foods That Boost Your Energy

With summer just about here, you’re probably thinking of all of the things you’re really looking forward to doing. Especially if you live in an area where the winter seems to drag on forever.

To have the energy to really get the most out of your summer, you’re going to want to put some foods on your grocery list that will help rather than hinder your energy levels.

So today I’m sharing 14 summer foods that boost your energy, to help you really maximize your summer fun.

For ease of shopping, just save this list to your phone or print it out to take with you the next time you hit the market.

1. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, tangerines, limes and lemons. All of which are high in vitamin C and vitamin B1, which ultimately help with your energy levels.

If you don’t love eating the fruits by themselves, then try adding some to a fruit salad or smoothie.

2. Avocado

Avocados scream summer. Especially if you love a good guacamole. If you do, you’re in luck because two of the other things on this list of summer foods that boost your energy are ingredients in guacamole.

If you aren’t a guacamole fan, then try adding some to a burger, making avocado toast, adding it to a smoothie, or topping your salad with it.

3. Melons

Watermelon, honeydew melon and cantaloupe are extremely hydrating, which is one of the reasons why they’re is considered energy-boosting foods.

They’re packed with nutrients that help with energy levels too, making them great additions to your summer grocery list.

Look for melon that has nice, rich color, indicating that they’re more likely to be high in nutrients than some of the more pale, less ripe-looking melons you sometimes see.

4. Hot Peppers

Get out that avocado masher, so you can make up some spicy guacamole. Although you may not want to eat an entire hot pepper on it’s own, adding it to other dishes will help boost your energy.

Just make sure to go light on the hot peppers if you tend to get reflux or have any other GI issues.

5. Cucumbers

If you’re looking for something a little more cool and refreshing, then cucumbers are a great choice.

You can bulk up your salad with them, top some slices with some cream cheese, dill, and capers, or even add them to a smoothie.

6. Leafy Greens

Speaking of salad, it’s not just the cucumbers that boost your energy in the summer, the greens themselves are rich in just about all the vitamin letters (A, B, C, E, and K).

If you’re not a big salad person, you can add a few to your sandwich, wrap, veggie burger, hamburger, or tacos.

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7. Bananas

Bananas are packed full of energy and come in a nice biodegradable package (the peel). They’re a perfect snack for a busy career woman on-the-go.

I personally don’t love banana flavor, so I sometimes slice them up into a bowl and drizzle some Teddy’s natural peanut butter on top, as a healthy dessert.

They also make a really great base for a smoothie.

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8. Coconut

If you’re in the mood for something tropical, then you’re in luck. Anything that has coconut in it (the fruit itself, coconut water, milk, cream, and oil) is considered one of the summer foods that boost your energy.

If you don’t want to deal with the coconut fruit, then I recommend grabbing a bottle of coconut water, as it will also help hydrate you on a hot summer day.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the other ingredient I mentioned that you can use for your guacamole to really boost your energy this summer. You can also make a nice caprese salad, or load up your black bean burger with a juicy tomato slice.

Tomatoes are not only great for energy, but also help with all kinds of disease like cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Make sure to wash your tomatoes really well though, because they tend to have a high level of pesticide on their skin. (Even the organic ones can have a small amount of pesticide too.)

10. Seafood

Seafood is wonderful any time of year, but there’s definitely something about the summer and it being a great time of year to enjoy some seafood dockside or on your back deck.

The high levels of protein in seafood will keep your energy long-lasting, so you can keep going well into the summer evening.

Pair your seafood with a fresh summer salad topped with avocado, and treat yourself to a paloma with fresh-squeezed grapefruit. (That’s what I plan on doing one of these summer weekends coming up at least).

11. Nuts

Having some nuts as a handy snack when you’re off doing your fun summer activities is a super easy way to keep your energy lasting all day.

I don’t necessary think of nuts as a summer food, maybe more of an autumn food, but they’re quick, easy, and don’t require cooking, making them perfect for summertime.

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12. Dried Fruit

One can probably see why dried fruit is an energy boosting food. It’s concentrated with natural fruit sugars from the drying process, so a few pieces will give you the carbohydrates you need to get that quick energy load.

Just be careful if you’re a diabetic or borderline diabetic since they are high in sugars.

13. Eggs

When you think about farm fresh eggs at farm stands, plus a nice summer omelet, then eggs can definitely be seen as a summer food.

Part of the reason why they are one of the 14 summer foods that boost your energy is the high amount of protein.

Eggs will give you that long-lasting energy, which is why they really are a smart choice for a breakfast or brunch food.

Try adding some tomatoes and spinach into an omelet for even more energy.

14. Beans

Any kind of bean works, including foods made from beans like tofu and tempeh.

Beans will give you lasting energy just like seafood and eggs, but they are perfect for vegans since they aren’t an animal product.

You can even make a lovely summer bean salad with chopped vegetables and fresh herbs, tossing it all in a light dressing.

Final Notes

Adding some of these foods to your diet can certainly improve your energy levels, but another benefit of adding these ones in, is that they can start to take the place of some of those less healthy foods you may be eating.

If your current eating habits can use some help, you may be feeling overly tired, have trouble managing your weight, have high blood pressure, or even have lots of negative feelings around food and your body.