Making healthy choices this summer is as easy as ABC. The Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s very own Registered Dietician, Giselle Cram Ortiz, has a few tips for how you and your family can get started on your health goals this summer.
A-void Drinking your Calories.
Instead of cracking open a bottle of soda or ordering a sweet tea at your favorite drive-thru, switch to zero-calorie drinks this summer. Try mixing up your water with some fresh fruits or find a healthy water alternative.
B-e Mindful of your Stomach.
Take this season to become aware of your body and especially your stomach. Your stomach talks to you and listening to its cues are essential to losing weight. Be mindful of how you feel when you are eating; stop eating when you are full and don’t wait until you’re very hungry to eat. When you eat to contentment, you avoid stretching out your stomach, and when you eat when you aren’t painfully hungry, you can better control your food intake.
C-ook your Meals at Home.
And we don’t just mean dinner. When you cook at home, it is much easier to be mindful of what you are putting in your body. Many restaurants add ingredients into their food for flavor without you even knowing, so cooking at home is the best way to control what you’re eating.
D – is the Vitamin you get from the Sun.
Get outside this summer to enjoy the sunshine and get some fresh air. Taking walks is a great way to get in tune with your body so that being mindful of your stomach is easier. You can reap the benefits of fresh air, but remember to wear your sunscreen!
E-at Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
Adopt a ‘farm-to-table’ mindset this season when you have access to fresh produce. With many local farms and grocery stores to buy your fruits and veggies from, shop local so that you get the most nutrients out of your food as possible. The fresher, the better. Even if fresh produce isn’t as easily accessible to you, frozen vegetables with no sugars and low sodium are great alternatives.