After months of hiding your body through the cold winter months, and with the sun starting to peek through the clouds, it might be time to start thinking about getting ready for Summer! There’s that old saying “Summer bodies are made in the Winter”, but this isn’t always the case. Our diets are different through the Winter period too, and we feel more inclined to stay in more. However, we’ve got out top 5 nutrition tips for your best Summer body.
Eat your fruit & veggies
No more empty calories! Fruit and veggies are full of fibre! A great tip for getting into shape this summer is to incorporate plenty of these into your diet. They’ll keep you fuller for longer and naturally have water in them and are great for your skin! It’ll give you that summer glow! They’re also great to snack on during the day too and can be substituted for chocolate or sugary quick-fixes! You can always substitute snacks for healthier options if you feel like satisfying your sweet tooth!
Keep your body moving
If you’re a regular gym-goer or love going to classes on a regular basis, then then great! But some of you might have those days where you feel you can’t make it to the gym because of working late, or other commitments which is alright. Even on a busy day when you don’t have time to go to the gym, make sure you’re actively moving! Rather, try and make time to go for a walk outside if the weather’s good, so you know you’ve almost completed the recommended 10,000 steps.
Increase your Protein Intake
After exercise, your body needs to repair during the recovery period. By increasing your protein intake, it maintains your lean muscle as well as increasing it too. There are plenty of sources from protein; from meat to dairy to plant-based to powder. You don’t have to take it to the extreme unless you want that bodybuilder look! A protein-rich diet can also suppress your hunger levels and fuel your metabolism to keep you turning those calories. Also, instead of a highly sugary carb-filled breakfast (we’re talking about sugary cereals, not good carbs), try having a high protein breakfast to start your day off. It can can do wondering for repress your sugar cravings through the morning through to the afternoon.
Prep ahead of the Game
Before you do your food shop, if you plan your meals/snacks for the week and put them on your shopping list, so aren’t tempted to buy items you don’t need. When prepping your meals you can keep them for that week, so you’ll have a fresh and delicious meal everyday. Seasonal meal prepping is always popular during the Summer. They also save you time during the week. After a long day at work or running around with the kids, you can come home and have a freshly prepped meal made by yourself to enjoy!
Stay hydrated
Start your morning right by drinking at least one glass of water before you have breakfast. By hydrating your system first thing in the morning, it wakes up your organs so then you’ll digest your food better. Keeping hydrated throughout the day is not only good to maintain your weight through hunger suppression, but it’s great for your organs, skin and hair. It’s also a good idea to have a glass of water after you’ve had a tea or coffee, as these can be dehydrating. If you’re fairly sedentary throughout the day, make sure you’re staying hydrated and enable you to feel your best when exercising.
