Summer is here and we all want to have fun, eat, drink and be merry, right? Have you found yourself overindulging? Treating yourself to more special treats than normal? 

I know I have, and I have chosen to reset my summer eating to improve my overall energy and health. Here's some hacks and tips to get you on the right track. 

7 Summer-Eating Success Hacks

Incorporate Summer Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy local and seasonal produce like berries, watermelon, mangoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini for nutrient-rich and hydrating snacks. These can be eaten alone and chopped up and added to salads. Enhance flavor without extra calories by using fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, and spices

Hydrate with Water and Infused Drinks: The heat can impact our mood and our energy and we need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Add slices of citrus, mint, or berries to make infused water more appealing. Add ice to keep your water cold and appealing and cool you down while spending time outside.

Opt for Grilled or Roasted Foods: Grilling enhances flavor without excess fats. Try marinated grilled chicken, fish, or vegetable skewers. Once you have that grill heated up, you can also grill all kinds of summer veggies like onions, asparagus, cucumbers and zucchini. 

Avoid fattening sauces:  Summer often brings social gatherings with loads of creamy sauces, be sure to limit your consumption of the fattening side dishes.

Choose Light, Nutrient-Dense Snacks: When hunger pangs hit, go for nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt, along with whole fruit instead of processed snacking options.

Limit Sugary Beverages and Desserts: Enjoy naturally sweet options like fruit salads or smoothies, and limit added sugars. Treat yourself to a cold ice cream for sure, just not on the same day you enjoy multiple other indulgences. 

Limit alcohol with high sugars: If you drink alcohol mix it with low or no calories fruit juices or carbonated water to hydrate while you indulge.This takes down the calories and the effects of the alcohol, which is sometimes the decision to overeat. 

7 Summer Meal Prep Tips

Batch Cook and Store: Prepare large quantities of staples like grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or boiled eggs at the start of the week. Store them in airtight containers for quick salads, wraps, or snacks. When you have delicious prepared choices, it helps you avoid the convenience of the Drive Thru. 

Pre-Chop Fruits and Veggies: Wash, peel, and chop fruits and vegetables ahead of time. Store them in clear containers for portion-controlled, ready-to-eat snacks or salad toppings.

Make Make-Ahead Salads: Prepare salads that hold up well like pasta salad, quinoa salad, or bean salads. Keep dressings separate until serving to prevent sogginess.

Use Mason Jars: Layer salads and parfaits in mason jars for portable, mess-free meals. Keep wet ingredients at the bottom and greens at the top.

Create Fresh/Frozen Protein Shakes:  Freeze berries, mango slices, too ripe bananas, and combine with fresh spinach leaves and protein powder as a cool meal replacement. 

Pre-Portion Snacks: Divide nuts, seeds, or trail mix into small containers or bags for grab-and-go snacking.

Create Grilling Kits: Prepare marinade packs, skewers, or veggie packs in advance so you can grill quickly on busy days.

About the Author: Mary Wilson has been a beauty industry pro for 40 years and has contributed in many arenas including marketing, sales, education, communication and presentation skills. She has always believed the very best way to find success is to create beauty and to share your talents with your trusted clients while maintaining your own physical and emotional health. In addition to being a beauty industry leader, Mary has been a certified yoga teacher for the past 11 years and leads wellness retreats and teaches yoga, breath work and energy healing.  Catch Mary in action as she tracks Yoga, Meditation and Wellness at HBFest in Palm Springs, September 13-15th.