Healthy Eating Tips for Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is a time to relax, unwind, and rejoice over warm weather and time off from your heavy work schedule. Whether you are going to the Jersey Shore or hiking in the Poconos, summer weather can really quench your thirst for adventure but stimulate your appetite! Between the barbeques and the vacation getaways you have planned, it is easy to skip exercising and pile on the food. In order to avoid this common habit, follow these healthy summer vacation eating tips that are easy to maintain and surprisingly enjoyable.

Stay Hydrated!

With hot temperatures and outdoor activities piling up, dehydration becomes a major concern. In order to stay hydrated, water is the best solution for maintaining a sustainable body temperature. Keep a large water bottle handy to encourage you to drink whenever and wherever.

Take Advantage of Fresh Produce

Produce is at its peak during the summer months. It is the perfect time to indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables while they are at affordable prices! Tomatoes, bell peppers, greens, berries, and watermelon are some examples of healthy and delicious fresh goods that you can find at your local grocery store or farmers market.

Perfect Time for Seafood

There is nothing better than having seafood while you are vacationing at the beach. Not only is seafood delicious, low-calorie, and protein packed, it is also extremely fresh and more affordable during the summertime. Salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, calamari and shrimp are popular types of seafood that are typically very accessible during the summer months. If serving seafood at a party, remember to check that there are no attendees with shellfish allergies.

Be Smart About Dessert and Cold Treat Choices

In order to keep yourself cool and satisfy your sweet tooth this summer, enjoy your ice cream or other frozen treats, but in moderation. Ice cream portions are often too big for adults at local ice cream stores and stands. Ask for smaller portions or look for the 'kiddie scoop' that should satisfy your craving.

Build a Healthy Burger at Your Barbeque

Burgers are a great dish to serve at any barbeque; however, they tend to be on the fattier side. Instead of cutting this out of your diet, try creating a healthier burger with whole wheat buns, lean meats such as turkey or chicken burgers, or go meatless with a veggie burger. Add delicious toppings like guacamole, feta cheese, and fresh vegetables. When deciding what cut of meat to buy, choose "loin" and "round" cuts of red meat and buy "choice" or "select" grades of beef instead of "prime" because they have the least amount of fat.

Boost Your Nutrition Year Round — The Simple Weigh

The Simple Weigh is our easy-to-follow, color-coded program focused on whole foods, personalized goal setting, and weekly group education and support. The program offers a multifaceted look at lifestyle habits regarding food, physical activity, and mindfulness designed to guide you into lifelong weight management success. The program includes a one-to-one meeting with a registered dietitian.

“The Simple Weigh encourages whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting fat and highly processed foods,” says Debbie Davis, a registered, licensed dietitian-nutritionist from Doylestown Health. “Vegetarian and low-carb meal plan options are also available.”

To sign up and schedule your individual nutrition counseling meeting, please call Doylestown Health Nutrition Services at 215.345.2356.

The fee for the initial 10-week session is $140. Subsequent sessions are discounted to $120. Designed for flexibility, The Simple Weigh is offered year-round. After attending for a year, you become eligible to attend The Simple Weigh free of charge.