How to stay on top of a healthy diet over the summer months…

The temperature is rising, the days are getting longer, the temptation to leave work and head to the pub garden is all too real…

While summer may be of some relief from the cold and chilly days, it sometimes makes it harder to stick to a balanced, healthy diet – especially as BBQs become a weekly occurrence and summer cocktails are just SO damn good.

So how can you enjoy yourself, live the festival life and still maintain a healthy balanced diet? We’ve put together some healthy tips for summer, to keep you on track whilst enjoying fun in the sun:

  1. Get in those fruits and veggies whilst you can

It’s all too common to forget the fundamentals of what you need nutritionally when enjoying yourself in the sunshine. Always remember to get your fruit and veggies in. Loading up on mangoes, plums, tomatoes, berries, watermelon, oranges…

  1. H20 for the win!

Drinking water is extremely important as it rehydrates your body and helps it to function better – this is especially important in the hotter, summer months. Make sure you gulp down at least 2L of water a day and ensure you’re well hydrated throughout the day. 

  1. Make sure that meal is balanced

Eating out is often a more popular choice in the summer months, making it very easy to over indulge and forget about your food choices. Make sure you’re balancing each meal with protein, vegetables, carbs and healthy fats too.

  1. Healthy sleep, every night

The hot summer weather may make it very difficult for you to easily fall asleep, impacting how you feel during the day and how you react to hunger cues. However, that does not mean you could simply delay going to the bed and rather binge-watch a show or scroll on your phone. Put the phone away, aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night in a dark and cool room.

Summer can be one of the most exciting periods of the year, especially if you’ve spent a few months in advance to get yourself into great shape for it. So remember, instead of letting the joys of summer undo your hard work, implement these tips to give yourself the best chance of staying motivated throughout.

Here’s an extra top-tip for you to consider:

Once summer fades and Autumn hits us (how dare we even think of this, I know!) the healthy summer habits can often fade as quickly as the sunlight. So, remember what you’ve learnt today, keep your goals in the front of your mind and use your support network to get you moving.

Until then, enjoy every minute of the summer ahead!