Time to put on your flip flops and savour those ice lollies, summer is officially the season of everything bright and colourful. Whether it's going out for ice cream or relaxing with a cool drink, this time of the year is full of its own colourful food traditions.
But as much as we love our summer delicacies, not all of them are great for our stomach or even our diet goals. Whether binging on your favourites in summer makes you feel too heavy or you just want to maintain your summer body, here are some ways you can side-step the stomach troubles by just making a few healthy food swaps.
Switch ice cream for frozen treats
Everyone loves a good bowl of ice cream when the heat starts getting unbearable. But a fruity frozen yoghurt and smoothie are just as delicious, easy to make at home and can be so much healthier. You can even make your own colourful popsicles at home with some fresh fruit.
By making your own frozen treats, you can control the sweetness, use innovative ingredients and save some money while you’re at it.
Rethink your summer drink
Fancy looking drinks in tall, pretty glasses are just about as summer as it gets. But if your sugar-infused drink is packing more calories than a meal then you might want to rethink your thirst quenchers.
Try to go lighter on that pina colada or bottled iced tea and stick to healthy yet yummy alternatives like coconut water, spiced buttermilk, mint lemonades or sherbets made with local ingredients.
Simplify your salad dressing
You can put together a fresh summer salad in no time and enjoy it even on days when your appetite is running low. But a greasy salad dressing can really kill your salad’s fresh vibe. Store-bought dressings are often loaded with salt, sugar and other preservatives.
If you want to stay on the healthy train, some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and olive oil are better alternatives. Even a more flavourful dressing like a honey mustard mix or some minty yoghurt can also be made in just a few minutes.
Get your crunch from veggies
With appetites running low, snack cravings are much more common in the hotter months. Instead of reaching out for a chip and dip session, make some hummus or a yoghurt dip and enjoy it with low-calorie, nutrient-rich veggies, like fresh broccoli florets, tiny tomatoes and sliced cucumber.
When it comes to summer snacking, a little bit of effort and planning can go a long way and keep your tummy both satiated and fit!