Summer is definitely the time of year when produce is at its peak, and there’s no reason we can’t get at least 5 servings, and preferably more, of wonderfully fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you!

Here are my favorite summer fruits and vegetables. Enjoy!

Berries Strawberries ripen first, followed by cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Berries are a great source of fiber, folate, and vitamin C. Did you know that 8 strawberries contain more vitamin C than one orange? Or that a cup of raspberries has 30% of your daily fiber needs? The berries are also packed with antioxidants that protect you from cancer and heart disease.

Tomatoes. Early New England settlers believed that tomatoes were poisonous, but today they are one of our most popular foods. Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a phytochemical that helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer. They are also a good source of vitamin C and are high in potassium. Add cherry tomatoes to a skewer, hollow out a tomato and fill with tuna salad, or turn on the blender to make a gazpacho loaded with tomatoes and other veggies.

Corn. An ear of sweet corn provides 3 grams of fiber and another 3 grams of protein, plus it contains folic acid, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. Cooking actually increases the availability of antioxidants in corn.

Salads Instead of bagged salads, mix handfuls of arugula, spinach, romaine lettuce, and other types of greens with chopped greens. Add fresh berries, melon cubes, or diced pears for flavor and color. Make a salad a meal by topping it with grilled chicken or fish.

Plums I love ripe, juicy plums! Two plums equals one serving of fruit, and it’s somehow more satisfying to eat two rather than just one! Plums are one of the rare purple / blue colored fruits that provide essential antioxidants and phytochemicals. In fact, plums have more antioxidants than other fruits, except for berries.