5 nutrition mistakes to avoid this summer

Summer is here again. The sun is out, it’s hot and most of us can’t think about anything other than relaxing by a pool with a beer or a delicious cocktail. It sounds great!, but we have to be careful with the nutrition plan we are following to avoid ending up with a few extra kilos. So if you don’t want to gain weight, you may not want to make the following nutrition mistakes this summer. 1. Eat Salty Snacks Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, or crackers are highly processed foods. They are likely to cause swelling and unpleasant inflammation in the face and extremities. Instead, eat vegetable sticks with hummus or raw nuts. 2. Drinking too much alcohol A margarita can contain up to 500 calories. Almost a third of the daily calories of someone trying to lose weight. Alcohol also makes you feel hungrier, more thirsty, and less worried about what you’re eating.* Set a daily limit on alcohol consumption, and stick to less sugary drinks, like vodka soda and lemon. *3. Eat a lot of sweets Cakes and other sweet foods are high in sugar, fat and calories. Sweet foods don’t keep you full, and instead give you a burst of energy followed by a crash. Energy dips often result in the need for quick recovery and an increased craving for more sweets, so you end up overeating, and often junk food. Try naturally sweetened foods instead of pastries. Plain fruits, fruit water, or a fruit smoothie are perfect on a hot day. *4. Not drinking enough water Because you sweat more in the heat, you also need to drink more. Dehydration can cause lethargy, tiredness, headaches and dizziness. We also often confuse thirst with hunger. Before opening a bag of salted nuts, drink a large glass of water. To stay hydrated, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and drink 2-3 liters of water. 5. Crash diets Crash diets provide very few calories and nutrients to maintain a constant level of energy and keep you healthy. Plus, when you’re done, you’ll most likely experience a rapid rebound to a higher pace than before you started the diet. Instead, focus on eating healthy and exercising regularly. Enjoy your healthy summer! If you want more information about healthy eating plans and weight loss, click here.