Skating Uphill - May 2023
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“Eat This, Not That Again!””
– The Uphill Skater –
The weather is here and it’s time to eat outdoors, grill, picnic, snack at the beach, host backyard barbecues, or dine on a restaurant patio; whichever you choose, just get outside! Some people say that winter is the time for warm comfort foods and heavy gravy, but we know this is not really true, don’t we Lowcountry foodies?
Warm weather brings out some big appetites—places to go, things to do, and food to eat. In order to put a bit of control in place, I am going to do another helpful guide of “Eat This, Not That.” Lots of new information has been put out, and we need time to “digest” the many new findings.
First of all, this is the perfect time to eat fresh—vegetables, seafood, salads! It’s easy to find a park bench and partake in a salad and fresh cut fruit. This is also the perfect time to lighten your load—calorie load that is. Those heavy winter gravies can be replaced with delicious lettuce wraps. Skip the chips. Salt is not our friend, especially in the heat—think swollen ankles in cute sandals. Drink lots of ice cold water. As enticing as day-drinking can be, go for a sparkling Perrier. Did you know people regularly drink more calories than they eat? Save your adult beverage calories for a fun outdoor happy hour with live music! My best tip of all: Enjoy the time and company.
Try to avoid take out. I know it’s easy, but so is making your own stuff at home. A salad literally takes five minutes. Check out grocery store deli foods. A hot roasted rotisserie chicken is a perfect meal and pure protein, keeping your blood sugars leveled and afternoon summer doldrums at bay. You can do well with other ready-to-go items at your grocer’s deli, too. Think hummus with Naan, pre-cut fruit, salad bar, turkey wrap and on and on. A typical fast food cheeseburger has 29 grams of fat and upwards of 900 calories. An average person is meant to have 25 grams in a whole day! Did you know it is now a law that calories and fat in foods must be posted? Do your own math and enjoy. Figure out how many calories you should have in a day, and stick to it.
One of my favorite summer treats used to be ice cream in any form. I’m not picky; I’ll take a cone, a sundae, a popsicle, a Nutty Buddy, or any flavor right out of the carton as long as it’s doused in chocolate syrup. I’ve had to change my evil ways, and I encourage you to as well. Try fat-free frozen yogurt for a lower-calorie change. I recently had a blueberry cheesecake frozen yogurt that was fabulous. The difference in fat and calories is worth it. Just for me, try a Yasso bar. They come in seven flavors, and at 100 calories each, they all have no fat. It is a big new favorite around here, and I like the chocolate chip cookie dough bar. You can get fat-free and sugar-free frozen yogurt and ice cream in many ice cream shops. However, if you rarely eat ice cream, go ahead and indulge. Just don’t do it seven days in a row!
Watch it out there, as we like to say here in healthy foods land. You can keep your weight under control, feel better, and look pretty good on the beach with not nearly as much effort as you think.
Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.
Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and Girls' Club. Judith is also a long-time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others, balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her blog www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.
Though I do tons of research, and have done so for many years, I am not a doctor and I share only my opinions. I enjoy research and subscribe to several magazines and publications and read up on all new trends. I hope you do, too!