Summer is a season of sun, fun and hot dog buns. Hot eats and cool treats are on the menu and families everywhere are licking their chops for a taste of summer’s savory flavors. With so much great food that comes with the summer season, it can be difficult for parents to keep their families eating healthy, but it’s crucial for both physical and mental health. If you’re worried about making sure your family doesn’t overindulge, then here are five super tips to keep everyone healthy and happy.
Stick to Smaller Portion Sizes
Let’s face the facts; you’re not going to be able to avoid all of the different cookouts and family barbecues over the summer holiday, so instead of being shut-ins throughout the season, simply limit the amount of food you are eating. Controlling portion sizes is not difficult to do, and by eating less food, you are making it easier for your body to digest what you eat and not loading yourself down with extra calories.
Sneak More Veggies Into Your Meals
Vegetables tend to take second to all the sizzling meats that make up the classic summer barbecue. Everyone salivates over a rack of rib, or a juicy hamburger, but don’t underestimate what a vegetable can do for your meal. In fact, veggies can taste just as good when grilled up, and make excellent substitutes for carb-heavy ingredients such as rice or tortillas. Veggies contain way more nutrients than most proteins and will help keep your body’s digestive tract running smooth all summer.
Choose Fro-Yo over Ice Cream
When it’s hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk, it’s no surprise that people want to cool down with ice cream. As America’s top frozen treat, ice cream enjoys a lot of popularity during the summer season, but there’s a healthier competitor on the rise: frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt is a lighter version of ice cream that packs just as much flavor than its popular big brother. Frozen yogurt comes in a variety of flavors, which are more friendly to those with dairy- restrictive diets.
Eat Less Red Meat
It’s an unfortunate truth that most would like to ignore, but eating lots of red meat can turn out badly for your long-term health. The high levels of trans-fat that are found in red meats can lead to higher cholesterol and serious health problems down the road. You don’t have to stop eating red meat entirely, just cut back. Switch to alternative meats such as baked chicken wings, or maybe slip a salmon filet in your next burger and see how it great it tastes.
Drink Water Before Big Meals
There are plenty of reasons why you should be religiously drinking water over the summer holiday. With temperatures on the rise, it’s important to stay hydrated especially when you or your family is being active outdoors. One reason that you may not know about already can actually serve as a great little tip to help you feel fuller and eat less. The trick is to drink a glass of water before you begin eating a meal. This will not only ensure you stay hydrated, but also take up space in your stomach.
Eating healthy food is not only key to your physical health, but your mental health as well. How you feed yourself is just one of the ways that your body manages your mental health. So, get out there and start eating healthy.
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Guest article: http://healthwellwise.com/