Now that the summer months are here - do you still continue with healthy eating? The answer is Yes! You can easily continue with delicious healthy foods by having healthy options and healthy choices at your fingertips. The days of summer can quickly go by and so can the choice of staying healthy.
So think about your shopping list and the meals you can plan. You have the opportunity to have seasonal fruits and vegetables, grill out for dinner and take your time with healthy meals. To give you a head start, we’ve summarized easy-to-follow tips to keep you on track to eat healthy this summer.
7 Tips on How to Eat Healthy This Summer
It is easy to spend time searching for the perfect meal, side dishes or a healthy snack. In fact this can be a fun way to spend your afternoon with your loved ones. Take a few minutes to review the easy-to-follow tips below. Consider what will work best for your lifestyle – if you don’t like to grill, then focus your energies on areas that you do enjoy. Also, don’t limit yourself with just the immediate area of food options. You can likely get fast deliveries from nearby stores or delivery services.
Get to Your Farmer’s Market: We are fortunate that in the urban and suburban environments alike – we are seeing farmers’ markets and farm stands increasingly become available. With that comes fresh fruits, vegetables and meat! Explore the farmer’s market in your area and scope out what they have online. In many areas, you can pre-order and pick up your fresh items.
Make Fresh Alternative Drinks: Summertime comes with a lot of heat! To keep yourself hydrated, put a pitcher of water in the fridge and add cucumber, fresh fruits or sliced lemon. This is a nice, refreshing option to keep you hydrated and an alternative to drinking soda or other caffeinated drinks.
Fire Up the Grill: The grill in your backyard is ready for use! Using the grill is a great way to get the family together, as well as cook fresh meats and vegetables. This will get you out of the house and cooking with non-frozen foods.
Cook with Fresh Herbs: In the summer you can find fresh herbs at the farmer’s market, the grocery store or even grow in your house. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and dill have lots of flavors and are surprisingly nutritious! These can spice up your meal and add nutritional value to your daily diet.
Watch What You Eat at BBQs: It’s easy to overdo it at a BBQ with all of the chips, sides, toppings, and desserts. Remember to fill your plate with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and salads. Try to pick alternatives to chips and bread such as lettuce wraps and crispy veggies. Ultimately, try to eat moderately and slowly to avoid eating too much.
Make a Healthy Salad: You may be surprised to learn that many salads from restaurants are not as healthy as advertised. The salads are often covered with dressing, fatty cheeses, and other high-calorie toppings. You can make a healthy salad by reducing the fatty, fried toppings and using lite-dressings. Be mindful of portion size.
Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables: The abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables makes it easier for you to incorporate them into your meals and snacks. Add berries to your favorite cereal or grab watermelon for dessert instead of ice cream. Some of the most popular fresh fruits and vegetables are:
- Tart Cherries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
The challenge you will face overall is choice. The choice does not have to discourage you from eating well and staying active. Keep it simple when selecting foods throughout the summer, consider the calorie count and ensuring your get a variety of fruits, veggies and meats. Discuss with your family and friends what they enjoy eating and share your preferences as well. You will likely learn something new.
Boost Your Immunity and Eat Well at Home
If you are working from home throughout the summer, it is even more important to follow the tips above. Consider incorporating oranges, lemons, curd, cucumber and mint (just to name a few) to help boost your immunity. Be careful while at home to prevent over snacking. Small, frequent meals throughout the day are great ways to prevent yourself from getting 'over-hungry' and making quick (and often time not the healthiest) choices.
Next Steps
The summer is full of fresh, healthy food options. Be careful of the ice cream treats and high-calorie sides at BBQs. Instead, grab more of the fresh fruits and veggies available at your farmer’s market or grocery store and enjoy nature’s sweet treats.
