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Summer is the season of movement — from long hikes and beach runs to impromptu road trips and backyard BBQs. While many people reach for sugary snacks and caffeine for quick energy boosts, nature offers a better way—of course! For clean, delicious, and slow burning fuel, enter: goji berries, goldenberries, and mulberries. These three nutrient-dense superberries will energize your body naturally, keeping you healthy and glowing while you’re on-the-go all summer long.
1. Goji Berries: The Ancient Energy Booster
Long prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their ability to support longevity and vitality, goji berries have been snacked on for thousands of years. They’re nutritionally comprehensive, containing loads of antioxidants, amino acids, minerals and fiber. Vitamin A is especially abundant, making them supportive for eye health—a major plus when spending time in the outdoors. A healthy dose of Vitamin C and beta carotene support healthy immune function through all the socializing that summer brings.
How to enjoy them: Goji berries have a sweet and slightly earthy flavor, making them perfect in both sweet and savory dishes alike. In addition to enjoying them by the handful or in simple, DIY trail mixes, these berries can be stirred into oatmeal or yogurt bowls, sprinkled atop salads, or added to baked goods as a replacement for raisins and other dried fruits. Another popular way to enjoy their berry essence is by infusing them into water hot or cold for a simple, fruity, goji berry “tea.” The soaked berries at the bottom of the vessel are a nice reward for staying well hydrated throughout your activities!
2. Goldenberries: Tart, Tangy, and Energizing
Goldenberries — also known as Incan berries or ground cherries — are a bright orange superfood with a tart bite and a serious nutritional profile. These berries are rich in polyphenols and vitamin A, two nutrients that can help combat sun damage and improve skin elasticity. Their low sugar to high fiber ratio makes them an especially slow burning source of energy and great for sustained activity. Additionally, they supply 10% of the daily value of potassium, a critical electrolyte for proper hydration in the body.
How to enjoy them: We like to call goldenberries “Mother Nature’s sour candy” for their bright, tart flavor that sweetens as you munch. This flavor brings a unique zest to trail mixes, energy bites, breakfast bowls and more! Goldenberries pair especially well with creamy textures, like those of yogurt and cheese—these berries can hold their own on any charcuterie board at your summer picnic. And if you’re a fan of orange or lemon with chocolate, we highly recommend swapping the citrus for goldenberries the next time you need a chocolatey sweet treat!
3. Mulberries: The Sweet Antioxidant Powerhouse
Mulberries often fly under the radar—many people are vaguely familiar with the classic purple mulberry tree that can make a mess of driveways in the late summer, and some might have even enjoyed a local jar of mulberry preserves. But less well-known is the white Turkish mulberry, which can be dehydrated into a perfectly sweet and chewy morsel for simple, healthy snacking all summer long. Mulberries are a low glycemic fruit with compounds that may help regulate glucose for balanced energy throughout the day, and are rich in iron and vitamin C, two nutrients that help support oxygen circulation. Additionally, they’re a natural source of the antioxidant resveratrol, which may help protect against UV-related skin stress.
How to enjoy them: A favorite for snacking straight from the bag, mulberries delight all ages with their clustered berry appearance and sweet, fig-like flavor. They’re a natural in baked goods of all sorts, and an unexpected but delicious addition to both salads and savory dishes. As with the goji berry and goldenberry, the mulberry is also a perfect fit for breakfast dishes, trail mix and granola.
Final Thoughts: A Summer Powered by Super Berries
As the days grow longer and schedules fill with outdoor fun, be sure to keep the pantry stocked with superberries to naturally boost your energy, immunity, and allover glow! Unlike the processed snacks that fill grocery store shelves, goji berries, goldenberries and mulberries work with your body to offer clean nutrition that will help keep you moving and thriving.
