Safely Prevent Unwanted Summer Weight Gain
When the weather is cold outside, we blame weight gain on the rich and savory comfort foods, and the ability to move around less outside. However, now that summer is here, weight gain is still inevitable for many. This is because the hotter weather brings irresistible summer treats. Here’s how you can avoid summer weight gain this season.
Remember There Are Healthy Alternatives
Summer is full of enticing treats, such as kettle corn and funnel cakes from the county fair, to sugar-laden blended coffee drinks from your favorite coffee shops. Plus, who can resist indulging in their sweet tooth with some ice cream. All of these summer treats are packed with calories and sugar, and will keep you from reaching your weight loss goals.
It is important to remember that there is always a healthier alternative out there. Enjoy your favorite summer foods, but order it as light as you can, and eat a small amount. This means enjoying the smallest blended coffee drink with the least amount of sugar and calories on a rare occasion, opposed to having a large blended drink every day of summer.
Keep Water First
The summer heat makes you thirstier than normal. Make sure you are satisfying that thirst with plain water instead of sweet tea, lemonade, or soda. Sugar-filled drinks will not hydrate you properly and can add on a lot of weight. You can make your water more fun for summer by adding frozen fruit.
Rethink Your Fruit in Your Salad
Adding fresh fruit on a bed of healthy lettuce is a healthy way to enjoy fruit in your salad. However, you want to stay far away from those fruit salads made with canned, syrup-filled fruit and marshmallows that are popular at picnics.
Rethink Your Burger
Burgers can easily become a calorie bomb when they are topped with cheese, drenched in sauce and placed between two buns. Enjoy your favorite burger sans the cheese, bun, and sauce. Enjoy some fresh fruit or a corn on the cob on the side for a more balanced meal.
Balance Yourself at Carnivals
Carnivals are filled with every bad food imaginable. Everything is deep fried, covered in bad fat, or covered in sugar. Before you head to the carnival or fair, have a satisfying, healthy meal. This will help you avoid temptation before you get there. Also, before you go, decide which treat will be your one splurge and split one with a friend.
Enjoy your summer and the delicious food that summer brings, but also keep your health and waistline in mind.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Josh Grenier
