Great Summer Dieting Tips

With summer fast approaching, there are so many food temptations out there that can lead you down the wrong road when it comes to dieting. And, with all the summer parties and barbecues that you'll be attending, you'll want to have a solid plan when it comes to portion control and knowing which foods are best for you. Here are a few tips to keep you at a health weight during the summer months.

Use portion control-but not for the good stuff.

Summer is a time for lots of fresh fruits and veggies, so if you're on the go, you're still going to be able to find lots of fresh fruit cups and veggie platters at your local grocery store or farmer's market. You can eat as many of the fresh summer fruits as you want, and not have to worry about portion control. Fruits like watermelon are great for the summer, since they help to boost your water intake and prevent dehydration, and can even help to clear up your skin. You may even want to eat kiwi a few times a week for a snack, since it's higher in vitamin C than any other vegetable. When it comes to other summer treats that may not be as healthy for you, such as ice cream, purchase fat-free yogurt for dessert-it has the same great taste as ice cream and is better for you.

Use the grill to your advantage.

You can put just about anything on the grill this summer, so keep this in mind when you're preparing your fruits, vegetables, or meats. You can make a fruit salad with all your favorite fruits by placing them on the grill first-pears, peaches, and watermelon are great fruits to use. You can also grill vegetables like squash, tomatoes, and broccoli to eat in addition to your fruit salad, or to compliment your favorite lean meats and seafood. Grilling is also a good way to prepare foods like chicken and salmon without adding fat to your meal, and you can add flavor enhancers like garlic, onion, and bell pepper without adding harmful seasonings to your food.

Keep sugars to a minimum.

People don't usually eat lots of baked goods during the summer time, since these types of foods are mainly comfort foods that are eating in fall and winter seasons. So, you may be able to get away with lighter desserts that are fruit based in the summer, but it's still a good idea to stay away from too much sugar. Things like sundaes, funnel cakes, lemon bars, and strawberry shortcake have hidden sugars in them that you may not realize, which could lead to fatigue, high blood pressure, and unsafe glucose levels if you're diabetic. Eating as much fresh fruit as possible, grilling your fruits with honey, and staying away from refined sugars during the summer will help you to keep off the pounds as well.