How do you stay on track during the summer? Are vacations your dietary undoing? Today I’m teaming up with a sponsor, Renew Life® Digest Smart Enzymes, to share some simple tips for staying healthy and energized for summer adventures.
To me, summer is a time for adventure. I grew up spending my summers split between the woods of Maine and the beaches of Rhode Island. My sisters and I were outdoors more than we were indoors, and I probably spent a good half of that time underwater. Summer exploration is the first thing that comes to mind when I picture a happy childhood – so I am thrilled to be sharing that sense of wanderlust with my son.
CC and his cousin on our last trip to Maine
This summer we are headed to Maine! We’ll be camping in the same spot that my family has been enjoying for three generations. It’s a gorgeous, spring-fed lake halfway between Bangor and Acadia. It’s my happy place, the home of my heart, and the place where some of my very happiest memories were made. I cannot WAIT to watch my little one to fall in love with it too.
Mountain view in Baxter State Park
Like most people, our summer trips involve stretching (or abandoning) the limits of our typical healthy diets. From farm-stand ice cream to lobster bakes, we’ll definitely be indulging more than usual. After all, Maine was the place where CC first learned one of his first words, “beer”. (Yeah… Best mom ever. Haha)
CC passed out on his papa while hiking.
While I do believe that there is value in occasionally kicking up our heels and kissing the “rules” goodbye, I don’t want my fun to be spoiled by a sour stomach or bogged down by a lack of energy. We have mountains to climb, trails to hike, and small children to lug along with us!
Enjoying what I eat while feeling well is all about balance. I’ve figured out a few tips to keep me on track, and I thought you might find them useful as well.
Ten Ways to Eat Well and Feel Great All Summer Long
Track Your Meals: Even if you aren’t counting calories, points, or carbs, keeping a food diary can help keep your habits in perspective. I’ve found that simply recording what I eat every day helps me stay mindful of my diet.
Load Up On Veggies: Again, this is all about stuffing your face with good stuff so that you are less likely to make poor choices when you are all hungry and vulnerable. When I’m really on my game I try to make sure to eat one or two servings of veggies at every meal – including breakfast!
Stay Hydrated: Extra heat and activity makes drinking plenty of water extra important. Make sure to drink, drink, drink all day long. If you are partaking in alcohol, it’s a good idea to drink an extra glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.
Snack Smart: I like to save up my indulgences for something really worthwhile – like ice cream or lobster dripping with melted butter. To balance out the treats I will inevitably be eating, I try to make an effort to snack wisely. Forego packaged snacks like chips or crackers and load up on whole foods like fresh fruit, nuts, trail mix, raw veggies, and cheeses.
Set Goals, Not Limits: I don’t know about you, but the best way to make me crave something is to tell me I can’t have it. Rather than focusing on what I shouldn’t eat, I like to set daily goals for myself based on what I SHOULD be eating. That might be a certain number of servings of green veggies or a specific amount of protein. Meeting my healthy food goals for the day leaves less room in my appetite for junk food or sugar.
Practice Portion Control: When it’s time for a treat, focus on quality over quantity. I say get the best thing on the menu in the smallest size possible. That way you are getting the treat you want while keeping your sugar/fat/calorie/whatever intake somewhat within reason.
Indulge Wisely: Remember what I said about quality over quantity? Rather than going for broke at every opportunity, choose healthy options for most meals. Then, when something comes along that is truly special, you can go for it without worrying too much about running off the rails.
Feed Your Flora: Increasing your intake of things like carbs, sugar, or alcohol can sometimes disrupt the balance of your gut’s flora. Taking a good probiotic supplement or eating fermented foods like saurkraut, kefir, or kombucha, can help keep your belly’s biome on track.
Keep Moving: If you find yourself feeling over-full or groggy after a big meal, do yourself a favor and take a walk. A little extra activity can help your food digest and can help boost your energy. Remaining active all day is even better! The more you walk, swim, and explore, the better you will feel and the quicker you’ll burn off summer snacks.
Embrace Enzymes: Taking an enzyme supplement, such as Renew Life Digest Smart Enzymes, can help your body digest particularly troublesome foods more efficiently. This can help prevent occasional gas, bloating, and indigestion. Just take one capsule before chowing down on foods like pizza, barbecue, or junk food and the helpful enzymes will aid your body in breaking down these problematic foods.
Has eating too many processed foods, or over indulging in protein (Hello, BBQ binge!) ever left you feeling uncomfortable? Most meals we eat include a mix of protein, carbs, fat, and fiber. Our bodies naturally create enzymes to help break down these foods, but sometimes (usually when we overdo it) our system could use a little help. That’s where Renew Life Digest Smart Enzymes come in handy.
With 25 plant-based, raw enzymes providing powerful support to your digestive system, Digest Smart Enzymes can help you avoid minor occasional digestive issues like gas, bloating, and indigestion. Digest Smart Enzymes can be found in health food, grocery, and drugstores. Want to learn more about Digest Smart Enzymes and the full line of Renew Life supplements? Just visit Renew Life.
A note to folks with food allergies or other serious gut concerns: If you are dealing with any chronic issues it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor before changing or adding to your diet or supplement regimen.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Renew Life Digest Smart Enzymes. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.