Between barbecues and trips to the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to get off track with healthy eating in the summer. However, it’s also the perfect season to focus on nutrition with plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables to choose from. Here are three helpful tips to help you pick the best bariatric recipes for the summer months.
Add a Little Protein
When you’re looking for a quick and simple snack, it’s easy to forget to include protein. One simple way to add protein to your snack is to choose peanut butter, which is easily added to fruits or vegetables like celery. You can also add protein to smoothies in one of several ways. Try adding flax seeds, chia seeds, oats, or simply your favorite protein powder to your smoothie recipe. Making sure that you’re getting enough protein throughout the day will help you feel full longer and achieve a more balanced diet.
Get Chilly
Frozen treats like popsicles and ice cream are common summer snacks, but these have low nutritional value and significant amounts of processed sugar. For a bariatric-friendly way to beat the heat, you can simply make your own treats by putting healthier options in your freezer. Try filling an ice tray or popsicle mold with fruit juice or just put grapes in the freezer. You can also make your own healthy frozen yogurt at home by blending yogurt with frozen fruits.
Eat Your Veggies
Summer is the best time to enjoy fresh, seasonal vegetables that make excellent, healthy snacks. Salads don’t have to be boring; try adding your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds. You can dip veggies in hummus or create a healthy ranch or dill veggie dip using Greek yogurt. Or, try grilling vegetables and making kebabs.
Learn More
To learn more about bariatric surgery and healthy diet habits, schedule a consultation with Dr. Louis Balsama. Call (856) 245-5876 or request an appointment here.
