Summer and Healthy Eating in Johnson County, KS

Why Summer is the Best Season for Healthy Eating

With cookouts, vacations and ice cream everywhere you look, summer may not appear to be one of the unhealthiest months of the year for healthy eating. However if you can look past the dessert tables at your cookouts and skip the ice cream truck, summer comes with an abundance of healthy, fresh, whole foods. Here are some of the best reasons why summer is by far the healthiest eating season. Learn how to make the most of summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS.

 

 

Fresh food is available and affordable. It’s easy to eat fresh, whole foods when they are readily available to you. Fruits and vegetables, that are locally grown, are abundant and available everywhere. Not only can you eat healthy, but you can support your local economy. Since more fresh food is available and grown locally, farmers are able to sell fresh fruits and veggies at a much more reasonable cost. When food is is season, it is much better for you than when you buy fruits and veggies out of season. These foods come without the preservatives and chemicals used to keep food fresh on a grocery store shelf. Summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS is not complete without a trip to the farmers’ market.

Summer is relaxing and allows you to experiment with basic, everyday foods. With impromptu gatherings with family and friends, be sure to keep basic staples in your pantry so that you are prepared at any minute to make a delicious meal. It is important to remember that you do not need expensive or exotic foods to make a delicious meal. Opt for inexpensive products, such as greens and beans, that can be made into delectable meals without breaking the bank.

Use summertime to experiment with flavor. Summer is the perfect time to add some flavor to your meals without having to turn to fat and salts to do the job. Berries, herbs and spices are readily available all summer long and are the perfect way to add some flare to your meal without making your meal unhealthy. If you are feeling extra motivated, try growing your own herbs (such as fresh dill, cilantro, basil and parsley). These herbs can easily be grown in your own window.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light and fresh meals. Forget about the comfort foods of winter, such as mac and cheese or mashed potatoes, and create a light and fresh diet for the summer.  With so many fresh options available, it’s easy to enjoy a light, plant-based diet during the summer. A plant-based diet is great for cardiovascular healthy, keeping your waistline trim and your blood sugar levels in check. If you have ever considered going meatless or would like to try to reduce the amount of meat you consume, give it a go this summer. Try to incorporate one day a week where you avoid consuming meat entirely. If you are feeling extra motivated, try eating one meal per day without animal protein. Skipping the meat can help give your digestive system a break.

Leftovers in the summertime allow you to get creative. Summer is likely the one time of the year where you should have no complaints when it comes to eating leftovers. There are so many ways to turn leftover fruits and veggies into delicious meals without feeling like you are eating the same meal day in and day out. Get creative with your leftovers. Summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS can also be more enjoyable with leftovers; this means less time in the kitchen.

Dine under the stars. You are probably wondering how dining under the stars is healthy for you. It is, you just need to think outside of the box a little. Dining under the stars is not so much about what you are eating, but how the experience can make you feel. Enjoying a meal under the stars can help to relax your nerves and the relaxation helps to aid with digestion. Eating under the stars makes summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS even more fun. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for great scenery.

Buying local produce and can even better than opting for organic produce. Sometimes it is okay to opt for conventional versions of fruits and vegetables. Yes, buying organic helps to limit your exposure to fertilizers, pesticides, drugs, hormones and other toxins. However when you buy from local farms, you can find fruits and vegetables that you just as healthy for you. These foods even have an advantage because they do not need to be shipped across the country. Spending a lot of time in transit can make foods less healthy for you and more costly.

Meal preparation in the summer is quick and simple. In the summer, you spend a lot less time preparing foods. This gives you much more time to enjoy relaxing outdoors with family and friends. In the winter time, soups, slow-cooker meals and stews are fan favorites. However, these foods can sometimes require a good amount of preparation and work. In the summer, foods are often enjoyed raw or lightly cooked. This means much less time spent in your kitchen. Summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS is all the more enjoyable when you don’t have to spend all summer stuck in the kitchen.

Summer meals simply look better on your plate. Summer fruits and vegetables are grown in a variety of colors. This makes meals more pleasing to the eye. When food is visually, your meal simply gives you more please. This makes summer and healthy eating in Johnson County, KS even more enjoyable. Plus these fruits and vegetables are packed with phytonutrients, which are healthy chemicals that are great for you.

Summer and Healthy Eating in Johnson County, KS