BBQ Season is here. Time to enjoy ourselves without throwing our plans and previous efforts out the window. If you're trying to be healthy this summer, do not fear! Here is your summer “How to” guide from being the perfect garden party guest, to the BBQ Hostess with the Mostess!
Tips on how to stay hydrated:
Stay hydrated
First things first, it's important to stay hydrated! Being out in the sun all day can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated drinks! Feeling headachy and irritable does not scream sociable.
Eat water rich foods
Eating water rich foods can help you stay hydrated too. Top up your salads with cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, and spinach.
Keep your alcoholic drinks to a minimum.
One You, One Less! Not only is alcohol a diuretic and the “hangxiety” awful, but some alcohol is also full of sugar and highly calorific. Drinking too many liquid calories is an easy way to sabotage your diet and weight loss efforts without even realising it!
Tips on how to manage your alcohol consumption:
Not only is remembering the night before with friends a win but no one wants to be remembered for those drunken “oops” moments:
- Drink water in between every alcoholic drink.
- Turn your wines into spritzers or make a shandy. Topping up with soda can help!
- Switch to non-alcoholic versions of your favourite drink, you'll find plenty in your local supermarket!
- Make your first drink non-alcoholic. You often find that you drink the first one a lot quicker than any others.
Tips on how to manage your calories:
BYO - Bring Your Own!
To avoid completely derailing you from your plans to stay healthy this summer why not introduce Bring Your Own? Taking your own food and drinks can make navigating a BBQ much easier. No one needs to know that you’re drinking an alcoholic alternative, and you know that there will be at least one healthy food option for you to indulge in.
Have a snack before the BBQ
Going to a BBQ hungry is like going shopping when hungry - avoid at all costs! You’re likely to overindulge if your stomachs rumbling.
Condiment confusion
Fancy a burger? Think carefully about reaching for the condiments. Some condiments contain high levels of salt, fat, and sugar. BYO? Great! Seek out healthier options lower in fat or sugar or have some fun making your own.
Lose the bread bun!
A white bread roll could contain around 140 calories and 1.4g of sugar. If you're watching the calories, why not use mushrooms as a replacement or large grilled vegetables? You'll be getting in some extra vitamins and nutrients and mushrooms are also water rich, a great way to help you stay hydrated!
Enjoy yourself
That's what it's all about! Spending quality time with friends is invaluable. Be mindful and soak it in!
Making small changes this Summer can make a huge difference. Happy mind. Happy Tum. Happy tum. Happy Mind.
More on Drink Less.
More on Eat Well, Lose Weight.
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