How to Eat Healthier in the Summer

One of the hardest times to stay healthy and keep your healthy eating habits afloat is the summer - the weather is warm; you crave ice cream and all sorts of summer desserts. The grill is constantly on and filled with delicious meals, there's incredible appetizers at get-togethers; and not to mention the sangrias and cocktails that keep flowing! ;) Now that I've made myself SO hungry, here's some simple tips to continue enjoying all of the fun foods that come with summer without losing any progress you've made thus far:

Allow yourself a cheat day

If you totally deprive yourself, it only makes sense that you'll go crazy and eat EVERYTHING. At least that's what happens to me! ;) During the summer, Saturday is usually my "cheat day" where I allow myself to go off track and not really watch everything I eat. If you don't want one specific day as a cheat day, you can have a meal that isn't 100% lean/healthy a few days of the week, while watching the other 2-3 meals you have in the same day. It really depends on your preference (and metabolism!) but the point is, you HAVE to allow yourself to enjoy and indulge once in a while.

Always remember, everything in moderation

My grandfather ALWAYS said this to us and to my mom and her siblings when they were kids too! Now every time I say it, I think of my grandfather and it's the most important step to eating better and losing some weight. When you use the Weight Watchers program, this is the approach they use and it WORKS. It goes along with my point above, to not deprive yourself of things you love. You can have ice cream, just have 1 scoop instead of 2 or 3. Enjoy your cocktail by the pool, just have a smaller portion than you normally would. If you eat slower, this is super simple to abide by!

Eat your healthier portions first

Have your fruits or vegetables first with a meal, that way you begin to fill up on the healthier additions to your diet and end up eating smaller portions of the things that maybe aren't so great for you. I'm one of those people who saves their favorite food of a meal for last, so this is never a problem for me - haha.

Start the day with a healthy meal

While I'm not much of a breakfast fan, it really does make a huge difference in your diet and body when you have breakfast! I love morning runs in the summer, so I always have a post-workout smoothie in the mornings; they're filling, filled with fruits and protein (powder) and help me build up my energy for the day.

I'm a very picky breakfast eater and can't eat anything too heavy in the mornings. Some of my favorite breakfasts are avocado toast with egg whites, a strawberry banana smoothie (I've recently been loving pineapple mango too!) or a big bowl of fruit.

Try healthier options for your favorite meals and snacks

I LOVE ice cream. I want it every day, I crave it and I LOVE it! I've gone Pinterest crazy with finding recipes that are healthier but still REALLY tasty, and I highly suggest doing the same! There's so many copycat recipes - my favorite is banana ice cream. It tastes just like real ice cream, it's just as satisfying and it's really so healthy for you. I do the same thing for snacks - instead of chips or something super salty, I'll make a healthier trail mix type of snack with nuts/fruit, or pretzels with hummus, instead of a creamy, fatty dip.

Make better choices at restaurants

We all go out to eat a LOT more in the summer - whether you're traveling and on vacation or just spend more time out and about, it doesn't make for the healthiest of eating! It's really more-so of a social gathering in my opinion, so to make better choices when eating out, try:

1. Eat half and take the other half home - get half wrapped, and you'll be eating a smaller portion. Less calories and you'll likely be as full!
2. Check out the lighter options on the menu - a LOT of restaurants today have "lighter" menu choices. You should look carefully, because they aren't always actually better for you, but they may be smaller portions.
3. If you know you'll be going out, eat lighter the rest of the day - have a lighter breakfast/lunch and try not to snack, save your calories for the restaurant.
4. Choose lighter side options - if you pick an entree that comes with sides, pick the lighter option(s). I promise you'll feel better about yourself!

Enjoy fresh fruit season

Fruits go in and out of season, and some of the best are IN season during the summer months! Take advantage of fresh fruit season and have your favorites for breakfast and as snacks that'll fill you up without feeling guilty afterwards.

Choose your seasonings and marinades wisely

It's grill season. We're all outside, enjoying food, friends and family. Grilling is always a great option, but the different seasonings/toppings/marinades can be filled with calories and fat; sometimes sugar/salt too. There's SO many picks that are meant for grilling with that are great for you though! My favorite brand for marinades is the McCormick Grill Mates - check them ALL out here and get them as a part of Prime Pantry - AKA to your door step in 1.5 seconds. ;) The Knorr Mixes are also great options - the pesto is to die for!

Use the grill ALL summer and as long as you can

Grilled everything is so much healthier than frying, and in my opinion, a lot tastier than baked food most of the time. You can grill everything from lunch and dinner, to sides (ever try grilled corn?! YUM!) to dessert - bananas and pineapple are my favorites!

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Enjoy your summer and still maintain (and lose!) some weight/stay fit. It's easier than you'd think, promise! ;)   XOXO -A