Nutritional Eating is a Summer Family Affair
Use the summer months to bring the family back together. Sure, the family may be busy but there has been much research done about the benefits of eating together as a family. One of the things researchers found indicates families who eat their meals together generally have a healthier diet than those who do not.
Make a meal plan and stick to it. Get your whole family involved in choosing which meals you’ll eat during the week. Include them in every step of the process – planning, shopping, preparing and serving – so everyone has a say in what the family eats.
Another way to improve your diet during the summer is to turn off everything which could be a distraction during meal time. Turn off the television and let the answering machine catch any calls while you eat. The fewer distractions you have, the less you’re likely to eat and the easier it will be to recognize when you’re full. It also removes distractions from all members of the family.
Rather than drinking soft drinks, which have been proven not to be a healthy choice, drink plenty of ice water, iced tea and 100% fruit juices. Does this mean you can’t ever have another soft drink? That’s not necessarily the case in most instances. However, cutting back on them can help you lose weight, give you more energy and help you remain properly hydrated.
Fill your refrigerator with seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Take the extra time to pre-prepare a large salad which you can enjoy for several meals. Cut up celery sticks, carrot sticks and other vegetables to have with healthy dips. You may also want to cut up a refreshing fruit salad which includes your family’s favorite fruits.
Start the grill. As long as the foods you cook on a grill aren’t burnt or look like charcoal, grilling lean meats is a great way to cook during the summer. Any fat in the meat will drop off the meat and that means it won’t go on your hips.
Prepare some of your foods in a crock pot. It will allow you to make a wonderful, healthful meal for your family without heating up your home. Just add the ingredients in the morning, set the temperature and leave it alone. When you return home at the end of the day the meal will be mostly prepared. Toss a quick salad and your family will be able to eat in no time.
These are just a few ideas on how to get your family in sync with eating a nutritional diet. You may be surprised when the end of summer rolls around.
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