Simple and Easy Ways to Stay Healthy for the Summer

By: Stefani Allegretti

There are several ways to slim down for the summer, but one of the simplest and easiest ways to trim away those unwanted pounds and make yourself healthier in the process is by reducing the big “S”, sugar, from your diet. Not only will reducing this tantalizingly sweet substance from your diet help you to loose weight, replacing treats containing sugar, with a piece of fruit for example, can actually make you healthier.

Added sugars, like high fructose corn syrup, can be found in many of the foods and beverages that we eat and drink, from soda’s to cookies, and unfortunately, these “treats” contain very little nutritional value. According to Registered Dietitian, Laura Olsen MS, CDN, RD of Nutrition Wellness in Brooklyn, New York, “Sugars are just empty calories.”

One of the first ways you can cut out or reduce your sugar intake is simply by checking the nutrition facts label on the products that you purchase. We have all heard the adage ‘knowledge is power’, so by knowing what ingredients are in the foods and the products that you eat or drink, you have the power to substitute or eliminate them from your diet.

Sugar or highly refined sugar, often hides in soft drinks and sodas. If you cut out these sugary soft drinks you will be sure to cut down on those empty calories. Another simple and easy way you can shed those extra pounds and become healthier in the process is by simply “moving around more”. Olsen suggests, ” If you sit around on the phone and watching tv alot then “getting up and moving more” helps burn more calories. Ways to increase your physical activity the easy way is think of those things you like to do, like putting on the music you like to dance to and just dance…”

So grab a yummy piece of fruit, dance to your favorite tune and you’re on your way to looking and feeling your best!

Tags: fruit, health, healthy snack, sugar