Ahhhh summer has come to a close. For most of the country school has started back up. Families are getting back in a routine. Even those of us who don’t have families seem to be getting back into a routine. Workouts become more regular. Eating schedules become more regular as do what we are eating. We are more conscious of what we are eating and drinking. Just as everyone was getting back into the swing of things, here comes Labor Day to shake it all up! The three-day weekend! The bar-b-q’s! The lake parties! The river floats! Or whatever else anyone may do! And what comes along with any of these type of parties and celebrations? FOOD!!! And DRINKS!!!
I am NOT about to tell you to avoid all of the Labor Day festivities. (I forgot to mention college football tailgates!) What I am here to tell you is how to help you stay a little more on track with your eating habits as opposed to going full nelly and making yourself sick over the weekend. Once we get into a routine of eating healthier foods, our body starts to crave these foods. Our bodies also start to reject the unhealthy things. For instance, if our body hasn’t had fried chicken and potato salad in three weeks and all of the sudden, we eat four pieces and three scoops of Auntie D’s potato salad then our body isn’t very excited about it. Oh, and don’t forget the two giant cups sweet tea and who knows how many Bacardi and Sprite’s you have! Wait, maybe that last part is just me, but you can insert your favorite alcoholic beverage in there.
Here are a few tips to help you not overindulge on the weekend, but still enjoy some of your favorites.
1. Drink water. Lots of it—more often than not when we think we are hungry we are really just dehydrated. Before you get to the cookout or tailgate, drink a large cup of water. Like a 32 oz cup of water. Between each beverage of your choice for the day, drink some water. This will not only keep you hydrated, but it will help keep you from thinking you are hungry.
2. Use a small plate—If there is a big sectioned plate to use at the bbq, it is in human nature to fill it up all the way. And then we eat it all. If we use a smaller plate, we are more (sub)conscious of getting less food and therefore eating less food. Are you thinking, “well that just means I will go back more often.”? This is where the drinking more water really becomes into play.
3. Start with the colors—go for the food that has more colors to it. Traditional salad, cucumber salad, grilled corn on the cob, watermelon or any other type of fruit. It is best if you steer clear of any food that has little to zero color.
4. Eat before you go--Have a healthy snack before you head to the picnic or get together. This way you are not starving and want to eat everything there is to offer.
4. Bring a healthy side to the picnic—to ensure that there will be at least one healthy side at the picnic, bring one yourself! Guacamole, tomato/cucumber salad, You can find plenty of tasty AND healthy sides to bring at https://healthylivingrevolution.com/revolution-recipes-cookbook/
I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend and if you have any questions feel free to contact me!!
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