HOT Summertime Tips
Something surprising can happen with your weight during the summer,
since you’re usually more active this time of year —
You’d think you’d be burning more calories — and maintaining or even losing weight.
The truth is, our eating habits change during the summer.
There are more cookouts, picnics, family get-togethers, trips to amusement parks…
Even though you’re burning more calories… you might be shoveling more “coal on the fire” faster than you can burn it off.
So here’s a few simple and helpful hints you can use to stay “food balanced” this summer.
So whenever you get in one of those SITUATIONS, you’ll have a few tricks up your sleeve to help you stay on a healthier track.
- Eat a healthy, light snack before heading to that backyard food-fest. For example, have a hard-boiled egg or some celery sticks and hummus. Yes, I know your aunt’s potato salad recipe is to die for… and your friend’s fried chicken is the best you’ve ever had.
- You’ll be much less likely to go hog-wild at the food table if you’ve already put a little something filling (and healthy) in your belly
- Put your food on a Smaller plate instead of on a dinner plate. That way, it will look like you’ve got a heaping pile of food… without it actually being a heaping pile of calories. And you might be able to sample a little bit of everything — without overdoing anything
- Use mealtime as “chat-up time.” Be an active participant in conversations, you’re eating less! Eating more slowly also allows you to realize you’re full BEFORE you’ve hit the “ready to explode” level. (That’s because it takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that your stomach is full.)
- Put down your eating utensils (or that chicken leg) between bites. That can lead to eating faster — and eating more. When you empty your hands between bites, you’re more aware of how much and how fast you’re eating.
- Chew every bite at least 30 times. It will help slow you down so you don’t overeat. And since digestion begins in your mouth, it also eases the load on the rest of your digestive system — and can help you avoid tummy distress later on.
Now, if you keep these simple tricks in mind at your next picnic, backyard barbecue, or day at the beach… you can still enjoy some of your favorite summer treats…
Without coming home with a “souvenir” around your waist.
Go have a great summer!
To Your Health!