Summer weather means we get to enjoy spending time outdoors. That includes events like barbecues, picnics, and outdoor parties, and all the delightful foods that come with those events. For people on a healthy weight journey, it can be difficult to stick to a plan when you're surrounded by good friends and good food. Here are six tips to help you stay on track with your diet goals while having fun in the sun!
1. Stick to your healthy habits.
You might think you should skip a meal so you can indulge later at a party or barbecue, but that can throw off your game plan and set ourselves up for overeating. Don’t skip a meal to save on calories.
2. Eat slowly.
When we eat too fast, we tend to eat more than we planned. Try to eat slowly so your meal lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. Eating slowly gives us time to feel satisfied, so wait at least 30 minutes. If you’re still physically hungry, go back for another plate.
3. Walk away!
It's way too easy to hang out by the food tables, which does let you grab a small bite to eat while chatting with your neighbor or family members. But this can also lead to over-eating. Get a plate of food and walk away.
4. Grill fruit.
Fresh fruit is one of the best things about summer, and grilling fruit outside is an easy way to add fiber to your meal while eating delicious seasonal produce. Two of my favorite items to grill are pineapples and peaches. But other fruits work too – bananas, strawberries, and other small fruit can be cut up and cooked inside aluminum foil or on a grilling tray.
5. Bring an appetizer or side dish.
At most summertime gatherings, there's a lot of high-calorie and high-fat foods. Try to bring something different that you know you’ll enjoy. One great idea is a salad made with fresh fruit like watermelon, apples, peaches, berries, cherries, and pineapple. You can also bring a veggie platter with pea pods, cucumbers, carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, and radishes. Skip the nacho chips and bring some salsa, hummus, guacamole, or a bean dip.
6. Stick to a daily exercise routine.
Getting regular exercise and sticking with your fitness routine is important for your body and mind. Remember that exercising doesn’t give you the go ahead to overindulge or take in extra calories.
We should all take advantage of the summer weather to maintain a healthy weight lifestyle. You can also use it to boost your weight loss by getting outdoors and exercising more. For your next cookout, enjoy an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The grill also offers many different, tasty ways to avoid high-calorie and fatty foods. Plus, it’s a healthy way to cook!
For more tips on eating well, visit the Nourish section of the Be Well blog.
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