As we usher in summer, we welcome refreshments in any form. One of our favorite cooling treats just so happens to also be versatile and easy to find: berries!
All fruits are a healthy choice and berries especially so. They contain high amounts of antioxidants including anti-inflammatory polyphenols that can help repair or delay cell damage that can cause heart disease. Berries also provide fiber, a heart-healthy nutrient.
Although we love berries in savory items like salad, they are perhaps most commonly found in desserts. In all the heritage diet pyramids, the advice is to enjoy fruit on its own as a dessert. However, berries are a wonderful option even when a recipe is a celebratory one and involves sugar. As Oldways VP of Nutrition Programming Kelly LeBlanc advises, enjoy a dessert with sugar every once in awhile, but add nutrition to the dish with fruit, nuts, and whole grains.
With berries at their peak of flavor this time of year, you may find you don’t need much else to make your dish special. So, here are some easy, berry-themed recipes that are both delicious and nutritious and are sure to have you coming back all summer long:
Easy Fruit Crisp: When peaches aren’t in season (or, in this case, even when they are), we make this simple crisp with any kind of available berries. For an even easier shortcut, you can use granola in place of the oat/olive oil/sugar mixture.
Sorghum Berry Breakfast Bowl: This breakfast bowl is filled with whole grain goodness and an extra fiber kick from the berries. Sorghum has a chewy texture and a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with pistachios and raspberries, but feel free to experiment with your favorite berries!
Fruit and Ricotta Crostini: Crostini is one of our favorite go-to’s when it comes to impressing guests with minimal effort. Especially during the summertime, this fresh combination of ricotta with plump berries is sure to be a hit among family and friends – or by yourself!
Whole Grain Blueberry Muffins: A New England summer in food form, these blueberry muffins include a mix of whole wheat and oats and are 100 percent whole grain. 
The fresher the blueberries, the better, if you’re seeking out that delicious, slightly tart contrast with the muffin.
Berry, Asparagus, Quinoa and Feta Salad with Crispy Chickpeas: The literal dark horse of berries get their chance to shine in this unique and delicious salad. Blackberries (and strawberries) bring a sweet contrast to this dish, along with a mouthwatering lemon poppy seed dressing and cinnamon-flavored chickpeas.
Strawberry Banana Soft Serve: This cool, berry-filled dish is a two-in-one deal when it comes to refreshing summer recipes. Plus, you’ll get a boost of protein from the tofu, which is a great ingredient to thicken smoothies in place of milk or yogurt.
There are so many ways to enjoy refreshing summer ingredients like berries. Get creative and try adding berries to dishes you may not otherwise think to pair them with. You may be surprised at the savory-sweet creations you discover! For even more inspiration, check out our recipe database.
And, ultimately, beautiful berries will always be able to stand on their own as a wonderful, nutritious summer snack!
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