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Read MoreIf you've recently embarked on making dietary changes for your health, you may realize that it can be difficult at times, Summertime fun, including vacations, barbecues and plenty of cool treats, can often lead to barriers that get us off track.
Here are some tips to keep your diet on track all summer long.
Review Your Goals
Whether you’re aiming for a healthy weight or working to reach a fitness milestone, having a goal and tracking your progress are the keys to long-term success. Establishing a goal will create lasting motivation, and tracking progress along the way will help you maintain momentum.
Focus on two or three goals at a time. Great goals are “S.M.A.R.T.”, meaning they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time limited.
It’s important to review your goals regularly to ensure that they are challenging but attainable. Remember small changes can have big impacts on your health!
Choose Healthy Alternatives
If you have a sweet tooth and have a craving for a candy bar, try incorporating different types of berries into your snack pile. If savory foods are your favorite, try air-popped popcorn without the butter and excess salt or baked tortilla chips and fresh salsa!
Embrace Little Indulgences
Summertime is about kicking back and enjoying yourself. If you begin to notice a craving you just can't ignore, it's okay to enjoy the occasional small indulgence. Just remember to get back on track during your next meal.
Plan in Advance
If you know you’re attending a barbecue or camping trip, planning ahead may be the key to avoiding common diet traps.
- A barbecues, aim to fill up half of your plate with vegetables and fruit.
- Offer to bring a healthy side to pair with the rest of the meal being served.
- Planning a day at the beach or park, try to stick to your normal eating schedule as best as possible.
- Pack your own snacks for car rides or camping trips. Homemade trail mix with unsalted nuts, seeds, and dried fruit is a quick and nutritious snack on the go. Or pack a cooler with cheese sticks and cut up fruit and vegetables.
- Always remember to stay hydrated with plenty of water!
