Beat the Heat: Healthy Summer Habits

By: Emily Tolino, Student Nutritionist

School is almost out for the summer! With no homework to do and loads of free time to spend laying in the sun, nutrition often gets left behind. Make healthy eating a part of your summer schedule!

Here are some easy ways to eat healthy this summer:

1. Be creative. Celebrate the 4th of July early with a red, white, and blue fruit salad! Combine watermelon, bananas, and blueberries in a bowl and eat as a snack or bring as a side dish to a neighborhood barbecue.
2. Stay hydrated. High heat can cause rapid dehydration, leading to dizziness, confusion, and fatigue. Carry a bottle of water with you on hikes or at a day on the beach. Try adding fruit or herbs to your water for extra flavor.
3. Eat local. Summertime is Farmer's Market season! Support your area's local farmers by buying some fresh produce and baked goods. Test your own green thumb by growing herbs or vegetables in windowsill pots or a garden.
4. Treat yourself. Try some frozen treats guaranteed to cool you down and fill you up. Fill a Popsicle tray with fruit juice, cover a banana in chocolate and nuts, or blend yogurt with fruit and freeze overnight.

Have a safe, happy, and healthy summer!