Healthy Food Swaps for Summer
By Donna Stark
The way we fill our days during summer can certainly vary from one person to the next, but there is usually one common thing that can link every activity together. Food. From slushies to corn dogs, to hot dogs to cherry pie, nothing screams summertime meals and snacks the way they do. Unfortunately though, they also scream something else, and it's not very good. Many of our favorite indulgences during summer aren't the healthiest of choices that we can make, but fortunately, there are some easy substitutions you can make that will still satisfy your every craving. Take a look.
Ice Cream
Obviously, summer isn't summer without a cone or two of your favorite ice cream, but if you end up craving more than those couple of cones, you may want to consider substituting it with a healthier replacement. Blend some frozen bananas in a food processor, opt for an acai bowl, or be creative and try some new smoothie combinations!
Hot Dogs and Burgers
You certainly can't hit a baseball game without enjoying a hot dog and those backyard picnics will never be the same without burgers on the grill, but you can make your choices a little more conducive to your health and fitness goals. Opt for chicken or turkey dogs, choose turkey or salmon burgers, enjoy your burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of buns, and watch the toppings on all of them!
Soda
You may not want to avoid the refreshing experience of drinking an ice-cold carbonated beverage when the temperatures are high, but you will want to avoid heart disease and obesity. So go ahead and ditch the soda altogether and choose unsweetened green tea, kombucha, or sparkling and infused water instead!
Chips and Dip
OK, this may be a tough swap at picnics because everyone counts on chips and dip to be on the food table, but if you are the one who is assigned to bring it, swap out those cream-based dips for some homemade guacamole or hummus instead! You may get some looks from those die-hard French-onion lovers, but those looks will pass once they taste your creation!
Fruit
Stop turning those sweet, delicious bites of berries and peaches into pies and cobblers, and stick to whole, natural fruit instead! Make some beautiful fruit kabobs, grill some peaches and top with cinnamon and honey, or just stick to the old standby that is everyone's favorite anyway ... a killer fruit salad.
Healthy Food Swaps
Making these summertime food swaps is a great way to stay the course in regards to your overall health and wellness. And if you do it often enough, these healthier habits may even follow you into all the other seasons of the year as well. Here's hoping!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Newtown Square, Pa.