Dr. Oz's Favorite Summer Foods

From berries to watermelon, find out why you should take advantage of Dr. Oz's summer favorites!

Everyone’s favorite time of year is here – summer time! Enjoy a trip to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and take advantage of this season’s produce that is chock-full of nutrients. Find out which of Dr. Oz’s favorite fruits, veggies, and pantry staples can help you stay hydrated and healthy all summer long.

Kale

In case you needed any more reasons to get on the kale bandwagon, it’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as lutein. Lutein is one of the carotenoids that gives kale its dark green hue. Eating antioxidant-rich kale may also reduce the risk of macular degeneration. These nutrients support heart health so be sure to load up on this super food this summer.

Overeating for Pleasure or Just Can't Get Full? This Hormone Could Be to Blame

Here's how to get things back on track.

Q: I end up overeating because it makes me feel better and I never really get full. I'd like to lose weight but this makes it hard. Any suggestions?

A: Being persistently hungry can cause big trouble. So can overeating for comfort/pleasure. These two behaviors, say researchers from Baylor University's Children's Nutrition Research Center, are controlled deep within your brain by serotonin-producing neurons, but operate separately from each other — one in the hypothalamus, the other in the midbrain. They both can, however, end up fueling poor nutritional choices and obesity.

Eating for Hunger

When hunger is your motive for eating, the question is: "Does your body know when you've had enough?" Well, if you are overweight, obese or have diabetes you may develop leptin resistance and your "I am full" hormone, leptin, can't do its job. The hormone's signal to your hypothalamus is dampened, and you keep eating.

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