As the weather warms, Mother\u2019s Day and Memorial Day approach, the desire to be outside for picnics and get togethers is on a lot of people\u2019s minds. And while fresh air and the activity often associated with increased outdoor time is definitely good for your health, the food we tend to consume in such settings is often in opposition to these other benefits of the great outdoors.\u00a0 So, how can you enjoy the great weather and social gatherings while still consuming nutritious options?<\/p>\n
1.)\u00a0Portion Control<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 at a picnic or BBQ, it\u2019s easy to just snack on all the various options. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to have a sense of how much you\u2019re actually consuming and whether you\u2019ve selected lots of fruits and veggies or more processed carbs. Grab a plate and fill it as you should \u2013 half fruits and\/or veggies, a quarter protein, and up to a quarter of starch (potatoes, corn, whole grains). Don\u2019t want to loose the snacking feel? Nibble at your plate, leaving it somewhere you can come back to it so that you can keep grabbing tastes, but proportioned ones!<\/p>\n 2.)\u00a0Fruits and Veggies\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 opt to bring a fruit or veggie-based dish so you know you\u2019ll have something you can easily gravitate to when the urge to keep snacking hits you. When your only options are chips and desserts, it\u2019s hard to resist. A fresh fruit salad with tons of lovely fruit, a veggie slaw made with just a bit of oil and vinegar instead of the traditional mayo, or a veggie plate with hummus instead of fat-laden dressings to dip all make great additions to any gathering and are pretty safe to keep snacking on the whole afternoon.<\/p>\n 3.)\u00a0One Non-Green\/Fruit Salad<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 summer picnics and barbecues are notorious for their plethora of salads, and not the green kind! Pasta salad, potato salad, egg salad, jello salads \u2013 the list goes on and on. Limit yourself to one of these non-fruit or veggie based salads. They tend to be highly processed and loaded with excess, non-nutritious fats.<\/p>\n 4.)\u00a0Choose Wisely<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 desserts are a fan-favorite at outdoor gatherings. Cookies, brownies, pies \u2013 you name it, someone probably brought it. If you can resist, opt for a heaping helping of that fresh fruit salad instead. But, if you just have to have something for your sweet tooth, choose one. Take your time and decide what you\u2019re truly in the mood for. Or, split a dessert with a friend! (That doesn\u2019t mean you get 2!).<\/p>\n 5.)\u00a0Recipe Redos<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 consider bringing a healthier option of a traditional favorite. Instead of mayo in a chicken salad, consider yogurt, or perhaps avocado! You\u2019ll still get the creamy goodness, but without the processed fats. Bring big lettuce pieces for lettuce wraps instead of a bun or bread. Perfect for a burger or any of those non-veggie salads! Swap heavy dips like ranch dressing and caramel sauces for something healthier, like hummus or a homemade \u201ccaramel\u201d made with soaked medjool dates, a little water, and some vanilla.<\/p>\n 6.)\u00a0Don\u2019t Drink you Calories!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Cookouts and picnics are often times for calorie-laden beverages galore. From alcohol to lemonade, sweet tea, and soda, it\u2019s easy to over do it and not even realize the enormous calorie intake you\u2019ve been slurping on all day. Choose water or unsweetened tea. Not glamorous enough? Consider a carbonated water infused with fruit and herbs, like berries and mint, or lime and ginger. Save your calories for that special dessert you\u2019ve been eyeing!<\/p>\n Warm-weather fun doesn\u2019t have to sabotage your eating and health efforts. With some small tweaks and eating mindfulness, you can have a blast and improve your health too!<\/p>\n Aubrey MS RDN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the weather warms, Mother\u2019s Day and Memorial Day approach, the desire to be outside for picnics and get togethers is on a lot of people\u2019s minds. And while fresh…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n