When it comes to whipping up the perfect dish for picnics and barbecues, look no further than blueberries. This refreshing fruit is a common star in warm-weather recipes — and it’s easy to see why. Not only do blueberries add a pretty, eye-popping hue to any party spread, but they’re also packed with good-for-you antioxidants and vitamins. New York City-based Alanna Waldron, RD, a wellness coach for New York Presbyterian at Columbia University Medical Center, and owner of the Eat Real Food blog, says one cup of blueberries contains only 70 calories and a hearty 24 percent of our recommended daily vitamin C. Vitamin C may help your hair shine and your skin glow, Waldron says. But the berry isn’t just ideal for elevating your physical features. “The blue color [in blueberries] is from the plant compound called anthocyanin, also containing antioxidant properties (flavonoids), which can help prevent disease,” Waldron says. She adds that this superfood has been tied to better heart health and improved memory, backing up research published in March 2011 in Nutrition Reviews and in August 2014 in Neural Regeneration Research, respectively. Can you say study snack? In addition to their health benefits, blueberries can act as the perfect natural sweetener for any of your kitchen creations. If you’re looking to add blueberries to your recipe routine — or if you’re just clearing out your fridge — check out these healthy-dish ideas from some of our favorite food bloggers. RELATED: The 13 Most Powerful Superfoods
Healthy Blueberry Cobbler Smoothie
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The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Crumble
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Simply Organic Ground Cinnamon, $4.29, Thrivemarket.comPurely Canadian Organic Maple Syrup, $20.89,
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
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Dr. Bronner’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, $2.29, Thrivemarket.comBloom White Clover Pure Raw Honey, $8.79, Thrivemarket.com
Blueberry Banana “Nice” Cream
RELATED: 7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Blueberries
Healthy Lemon Blueberry Bread
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Blueberry Gummies
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Vegan Blueberry Coconut Popsicles
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Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk, $2.49, Thrivemarket.com
Lemon and Blueberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bites
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Frozen Blueberry Margaritas
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No Bake Skinny Blueberry Cheesecake Parfaits
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Vegan Blueberry Tart
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Dr. Bronner’s Organic Coconut Oil, $17.99, Thrivemarket.comBarney Butter Almond Meal, $7.64, Thrivemarket.com
Additional reporting by Katie Robinson
