3 Summer Food Do's!

Summer is the perfect time to cook at home, as there is so much fresh produce to choose from, you can grill outdoors, and longer days make dining al fresco a great option! My latest magazine, "Fit Over 50: The Beach Body Issue" is on newsstands now (you can also order it online!), and there is an entire section devoted to delicious summer nutrition - which includes my Summer Food Do's! Here are three you can try over the next few months:

1. Eat hydrating foods. Water isn't the only way to stay hydrated in the warmer months - foods that are high in water content make a perfect snack or side that also help you replenish your fluids. I keep cut-up cucumber slices in the fridge for snacking, and focus on cantaloupe, pineapple and watermelon when it comes to fruit, as all are high in water content. 
2. Fresh herbs for the win! I love growing herbs, as they are a no-sodium way to amp of the taste of any meal. You can get potted herbs at most local groceries or farmer markets, and for summer I love fresh basil to add to pasta salads, mint to iced tea, dill sprinkled on grilled seafood, and parsley tossed into salads. 
3. Try the Mediterranean Diet. This way of eating is simple to follow, so you are more likely to stick with it, and delicious, too! Summer is the perfect time to give it a try, as it focuses on plant-based meals, healthy fats, and seafood. Think grilled salmon with a leafy green salad, shrimp kebabs threaded with bell peppers and onions, or a greek-style grilled chicken salad with feta and olives. 

If you like these tips, be sure to get your copy of "Fit Over 50: The Beach Body Issue" - I have more Summer Food Do's, a beautiful, inspirational summer snack board, gut-healthy food tips, and 18 pages of simple and delicious summer recipes like Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Summer Protein Bowl, Berry Sorbet and more - along with a 7-day meal plan to help you put the recipes into action! 

Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!!
Denise