Eat Healthy at your Summer BBQ

I don’t know about you , but I love love love summer time! But I know that it is harder for me to eat healthy with all the activities that go on. Here are a few tips I use to help me keep on track. I hope you will find them helpful as well.

I try to eat healthy most of the time but I do indulge myself because , hey, it’s summer!

1. Have a plan! It is easy to say “I am going to eat healthy at the BBQ today.” What does that mean? This broad statement can set you up for failure. Try to spell out specific goals you can follow through with during the event. Write your plan down and stick to it. You have to remember to do it!! It’s easy to forget once you get there.

2. Bring a dish that you know is healthy. It’s okay to be known as the person who always brings a veggie tray with hummus or cut up fruit for everyone. Trust me, I am this person. Guess what?? My friends count on it because they are trying to eat healthier too.

3.  Make sure you sit away from the food table. You will be less tempted to keep mindless snacking. This type of snacking makes your calorie intake go up and up. Stay away from the food and mingle or visit with friends who are away from the table as well.

4. Plan to eat on a plate and make only one trip to the food table. Avoid taking bites of food without having it on a plate first. It is easy to overeat when you aren’t keeping track of the portion sizes of what you are eating. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. 1/4 of the plate grains and 1/4 meat. Use ChooseMyPlate.gov to help.

5. Add extra activity. Try to workout extra a few days before and after your summer celebration to help balance the extra calories you will be taking in. It is really easy to overeat your usual activity so adding in extra is great.

6. Limit empty calorie beverages. Try to drink only one regular soda, sugar sweetened tea or alcoholic beverage. Stick with water or unsweetened tea after you have had a high calorie drink.

Enjoy your summer!!

Sublimely Lace

Healthy Eating and Vacation??

Is it possible to eat healthy and be on vacation at the same time?

I think so. At least I am gonna give it I try like I usually do.  Here are a few things I will try to follow while on vacation. I really don’t want to come back with any extra junk in my trunk, if you know what I mean. Vacation doesn’t mean zero calories so some precautions help.

• Taste the food; don’t overfill your plate or your stomach. Be sensible about portion sizes. Enjoy a little of everything. It is your vacation after all.
• Enjoy the treats you really want. Don’t deprive yourself. If you really want to have (insert food item), go for it. If you deprive yourself you will beat yourself up for it later and mostly likely overeat on something else.
• Listen to your body. Stop when you feel full. Be able to walk away from the table, no waddle away.
• Eat slowly. It’s your vacation. Slow down and enjoy the company, scenery….
• Do stuff! To balance out the extra richness of food, be active. And for every time you to do something relaxing, try to do something active.

These are just a few tips do keep in mind.  Vacations are about having fun, relaxing and doing something out of the ordinary. Simple changes and being mindful of (and practicing) healthy behaviors can make a big impact on how you feel mentally and physically when you return.

Weeknight Dinners for June 3rd-8th

This is what I have planned for dinners this week. Sunday-Friday. We get so busy on the weekends and something always comes up I have discovered it’s best to not overly plan for Saturday and use this day for eating out 🙂 We have had a great start to the beginning of summer! Hope your summer is off to a great start too. Vacation count down is on. Now down to 9 days!!!! Woohoo!

Sunday: Grilled Chicken Breast Tenders and Veggie Kabob’s with corn on the cob.

Monday: @ Bo’s Place. I am bringing White Bean and Roasted Chicken Salad and a bowl of fruit

Tuesday: Mushroom Turkey Burgers with kale chips

Wednesday: Slow-cooker Chili Beef Tacos with non-fat re-fried beans

Thursday: FFY or Pick Night or Pig Night (depends on who you ask) – this is our “eat up the leftovers or whatever you’re in the mood for night.” FFY means fend for yourself. This came from my childhood. Taylor, my niece, calls it pick night. Then, upon miss hearing Taylor, my daughter thinks it is called pig night. Whatever you call it, this is usually the kids favorite night. 🙂

Friday: Grilled Pork with Peaches and Roasted Broccoli

Nutrition tip: It’s always good to have a plan. Plan out your week so that you know what to expect and are not caught off guard and eat mindlessly. Also, planning meals allows you to focus on getting a variety of foods and flavors!

 

What are your plans this summer??