Summer Holiday Fitness Journey: Summer Food Choices, Treats vs Nutrition
Welcome back to our Summer Holiday Fitness Journey series! In our last post, we discussed how to view fitness as a celebration and keep it in focus throughout the summer holidays. Today, we're shifting our attention to a topic that's equally vital for our health and fitness: nutrition.
When you think of summer food, what comes to mind? Barbecues, ice cream, cocktails, and picnic baskets filled with treats are all quintessential parts of the season. Yet, while these indulgences are part of the summer experience, they can also disrupt our fitness progress if we're not careful.
So, how can we enjoy these summer food traditions without compromising our fitness goals? Let's explore.
1. Mindful Eating: Eating mindfully involves savoring our food, paying attention to how it makes us feel, and listening to our bodies' hunger and fullness cues. It helps us to not only enjoy our food more but also prevents overeating. Try to apply mindful eating during your meals and notice the difference it makes.
2. Opt for Healthier BBQ Options: Barbecues don't have to be all about heavy burgers and hot dogs. Consider grilling lean proteins like chicken, fish, or plant-based burgers. Include plenty of colorful grilled vegetables, too. Swap mayo-laden potato salads for light, zesty versions with vinaigrette dressing.
3. Choose Fruits for Dessert: Summer is a paradise for fruit lovers. Berries, watermelon, peaches, and cherries are in abundance. Instead of reaching for that ice cream cone every time, why not enjoy a bowl of fresh, juicy fruit? If you still want to enjoy ice cream, try having it as a topping on your fruit bowl instead of the main event.
4. Hydrate Wisely: Cocktails and chilled sodas may be tempting, but they can be high in sugars and empty calories. Hydrate with water, unsweetened iced tea, or fruit-infused water to keep it refreshing without adding unnecessary sugars.
5. Healthy Snacking: Prepare for snack attacks by keeping healthy options on hand. Think raw nuts, yogurt, hummus with veggie sticks, or a piece of fruit. These nutrient-dense snacks will keep your hunger at bay and provide a steady release of energy.
6. Portion Control: Enjoy your favorite treats, but be mindful of portion sizes. It's easy to overindulge when we're not paying attention.
7. Listen to Your Body: Finally, remember that everyone's body is different. What works for one person might not work for another. Pay attention to how different foods make you feel and adjust your diet accordingly.
Navigating summer food choices can be a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to discover that healthy and delicious can go hand in hand. With these tips, you can indulge mindfully, savoring both the flavors of the season and the feeling of keeping your fitness goals on track.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll take advantage of the summer weather and explore some fantastic outdoor fitness activities.
Regards ChrisFit
