Eating Healthily All Summer Long

By Donna Stark

While the summer may not have as many holidays as the end of the year does, there are plenty of barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings filling your days. And that means you may be facing an overabundance of food! Check out the following suggestions from your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic that are sure to help you maintain a healthy and balanced diet in the months ahead.

Avoid Grazing

Are you aware of how much you can overeat simply by grazing and mindlessly eating the food that is set out? It's true! So, to combat those extra calories, fix yourself a plate, and leave the grazing for cows. It's really the only way to keep an eye on how much food you are consuming during the event you are at.

Start With a Spoonful

Tempted much? Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, potato salad, baked beans, and let's not even mention the desserts. It doesn't take long for all those calories and grams of fat to add up, does it? But it will take forever to get them off your hips! Instead of spooning full servings of food on your plate and making a mountain of a mess to deal with, start with small spoonfuls of what you would like to eat. You'll be surprised by how quickly those "samples" fill you up.

Keep Water By Your Side

Did you know if you are adequately hydrated and drink a glass of water before you sit down to eat, you won't be so quick to overindulge? This is one of the best, well-kept secrets of all time and is the reason why your mother would always say, "You aren't hungry, you're just thirsty." On top of that, water is just the better option to choose when it comes to beverages anyway. There's no point in consuming even more calories just because you want to wet your whistle.

Slow Down

Slow down. The food isn't going to disappear, and you aren't going anywhere either. Give your body plenty of breaks from everything on the table so it can have time to digest and decide if it is full or not. Besides, consuming less and spreading the number of times you sit down to eat throughout the day will not only help boost your metabolism but will still satisfy any cravings you may be dealing with too!

Enjoying the Foods of Summer

The summer season is sure to bring good food and great company, so get ready to enjoy it all! By following the suggestions above and making a few simple changes to your eating habits, you can end the next few months looking good and feeling healthier than ever! 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mount Dora, Fla.