7-28-09

Summertime Healthy Eating

Finding time to eat healthy foods during busy summer schedules can be a challenge, but with good planning and preparation, you can maintain a healthy diet.

Summer time is filled with lots of fun activities such as ballgames, fairs and festivals.  But the food served at the events may be filled with fat and calories.  Kelly Powell, registered dietitian at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says eating healthy has never been more important and it can be done with some planning.

SOUND BITE:  “ . . .  to eat right when you are busy, it does take some planning and it might even take a little packing.  So to plan ahead, maybe sit down once a week and list most of the items that you would plan to prepare for that week.  And there is no harm in having those be sandwiches, maybe pre-frozen, ready to go – a turkey sandwich. Pull them out of the freezer, put them in a cooler to take to the ball game, so as that you are not forced to eat hotdogs, polish sausage, nachos.”

Powell stresses the importance of eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day and avoiding foods that are fried, super-sized or extra large portions.  She recommends the 100-calorie snack packets as a way to maintain correct portions sizes.   Powell recommends another healthy item.

SOUND BITE: “Another really important thing for the summer time is to stay hydrated and a lot of places are going to offer you caffeinated beverages, sugared beverages, lemonade shake-ups, soda and things like that.  But remember to have plenty of water.  Either bring it in your own container or buy bottled water and keep it in the cooler.”

Powell says there are no quick fixes to eating right, but planning and preparation will help keep you on the right track.  If you have dietary concerns, see your primary care physician or registered dietitian.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.