Wow mid-summer is already upon us! There’s no better time for being outdoors, barbecuing, and drinking a nice cold beer on the beach. But with all these activities, how can you keep yourself eating healthy?  Here are some ideas to help you eat well over the summer while enjoying yourself:

1. Don’t skip breakfast. When you wake up in the morning, your body is running on fumes. Eating a breakfast with protein, carbs, and healthy fat kicks your metabolism into high gear and provides energy for the day.
2. Enjoy summer fruits and veggies. It’s easy to sink into a vegetable rut, eating the same boring veggies week after week, but with summer comes fresh choices. Including a mix of in-season colorful veggies in your meals gives your body a nutrient kick. A cooler full of fruit on the beach will help feign off the trip to the ice cream cart.
3. Serve seafood. Summer is the ideal time to get the freshest catch from your local grocer. Grill salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, and calamari for a low-calorie, protein-packed lunch or dinner. The seafood shops at the shore are overflowing with crabs right now!
4. Snack at work. Bring snacks to work and graze throughout the day. When you eat more often—five to six times per day—you’re far less likely to overeat and more likely to stay energized.
5. Drink healthier beers. Go ahead and indulge, but opt for antioxidant packed craft brews like Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew Ale or Stoudt’s Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout. To save calories, choose beers with less than 100 calories like Select 55 and Miller Lite.
6. Drink green tea instead of sweet tea. Green tea has a natural component that helps speed up your metabolism. Skip the box tea and opt for the brew-it-yourself with boiling water and a tea-bag-type tea.
7. Hydrate often. The summer heat makes you more susceptible to dehydration. Start off your day by drinking two glasses of water and keep drinking at each meal, as well as before and after your workout, to stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you as a reminder to stay hydrated.
8. Cook meals together. Involve your friends and family in your healthy lifestyle this summer. A simple way to start: Plan meals, shop, and cook with your spouse and kids.
9. Downsize your dinnerware. We’re not talking about buying new plates, just using the smaller ones in your set for meals like lunch and dinner. Cornell University researchers found that by switching from 12- to 10-inch plates anyone can reduce calorie consumption by 20 to 22 percent and lose nearly two pounds per month. And that’s without changing any other aspect of your diet.
10. Recover with a post-workout shake. After exercising, blend your favorite summer fruits and a scoop of whey protein into a shake to kick-start the muscle-building process, help your body recover from training, and boost your energy levels.
11. Pre-plan your meals. You plan your weekend getaways and activities for summer. Why not your meals? Make it easy by preparing all of your food on Sunday so that you have enough meals for the week. The best part: You’ll save money.
12. Eat healthy at the beach. Kohr Bros, Crabfries, and fudge are bound to put a damper on your diet, so stay clear of these temptations by being prepared. Pack a cooler with healthy snacks like fruit for the beach. Eat a sensible dinner before heading to the boardwalk. When you indulge, ask them if they have a kid’s size (Kohr Brothers does). You’ll feel healthier and happier after your time down the shore.
13. Give your house a summer cleaning. You need an environment that reflects your healthy way of living and your summer fitness goals. To start, remove unhealthy foods from your home (so you’re not tempted). While you’re at it, stock your office with fruit, nuts, and other healthy snacks.
14. Build a better burger. Create a healthier burger with whole wheat buns, lean meats, and delicious toppings like pineapple, wasabi, guacamole, and feta cheese.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!