Choosing to start a diet can be just as challenging as choosing the diet that you are going to begin, particularly because so many people stick to the premise that “tomorrow” will be the best day to begin something new. If you are thinking about starting a diet, it might be a good idea to consider starting this in the summer, and this is not just because this is a time of year that is filled with new beginnings.
Food Is Freshest At This Time Of The Year
During the summertime, crops tend to spring up and flourish, and there is not only a lot more variety, but the various types of ingredients are also more freely available, not to mention there is a better chance that it is locally sourced. Mark Hyman explains;
When food is more available, it’s more affordable, too, since choosing local produce cuts the cost of shipping food from some far-off place.
When food is fresh, it not only tastes better, but it also contains much more nutrients, since these tend to start breaking down when the fruit and vegetables are stored for too long. It is also worth mentioning that when food is stored, the chemicals and other toxins that are used to preserve it are increased, and this basically means when you consume these products, you are ingesting the toxins too. If you can, it is best to avoid these types of foods altogether and rather opt for fresh, locally sourced produce. Knowing where your food comes from helps you to source products that are healthier and of a much higher quality.
Don’t Overspend
When you diet during the summer, you can ensure your cupboards are fully stocked without spending a fortune in the process. You don’t have to opt for exotic products that taste great but cost a great deal more than local produce; the simpler your choices are, the less likely it will be that you overspend.
Alternatives To Unhealthy Flavorings
Another benefit of opting for fresh vegetables and fruit, you can actually cook without many of the harmful ingredients that you tend to use to improve the taste of your meals. As the contributors of Huffington Post put it;
Get creative, and experiment using herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, or fresh dill. In the summer time, these are so easy to grow right in your own window!
When you turn to herbs and spices such as these, you can actually cut down on the amount of salt and fat you put into your meals, and they will most likely end up tasting great in the process.
Get Some Variety In Your Diet
Variety is the spice of life, and when you are starting a new diet, you’ll most likely want to make sure that your diet is as exciting as possible so that you don’t get bored as you go about establishing your new eating regimen.
Corn is one example of a new food that you can try, and as Ioana Daniela states, it provides a variety of benefits to individuals looking to introduce it into their diets;
In case you didn’t know, this product contains lutein and zeazanthin, two antioxidants found in corn that can have great properties for your eyes, acting like sunglasses. They contribute to form a specific pigment needed against the sun’s damaging rays.
This is only one of the many options that you have available to you, and when you have this variety, you can rest assured that there will always be something new and exciting for you to try; this will make it less likely that you turn to junk food instead to curb those cravings.
Quick And Easy Recipes
Many diets will call for a meatless day in which you substitute animal base products for plant based meals, and having a wide variety available to you in terms of produce makes it a lot easier for you to come up with recipes that you can try on these days. When you opt for a meatless day, you are not only giving your body some time to rest from the heavy load that is meat-based products, but you are also contributing to the well being of the planet, because raising animals for this purpose puts a great strain on the environment.
Eat Outside
When you are dieting, mealtime might be a period that is fraught with difficulty. This is the time when you need to try and find products that contain the lowest possible number of calories, and if you don’t like what you are eating, you might not enjoy this period very much. The good news is that you can make dinner time much more enjoyable by simply eating outside, even in the evenings. Take the time to actually set up a table or even a picnic blanket in the garden, with candles, flowers and any other decorations to improve the atmosphere. When you make dieting fun, you can rest assured you will have a better chance of sticking to it.
Local Food Might Be Better Than Organic
When you opt for organic products, you tend to end up cutting out pesticides, drugs and a variety of other toxins that have been put into the food you are consuming on a regularly basis, but opting for local products might actually be better than this. By picking local products, you are actually buying from a farm based in your area, so the produce doesn’t have to be stored and shipped. This means that when it reaches you, it will actually be of a much higher quality.
Quick Meals
During the summer, cold meals tend to be preferable, and this means preparing your meals is quick and easy. Wintertime is filled with warm stews and soups; this takes a lot more time to prepare and the cold alternatives often seem much more unappealing.
Dieting during the summer isn’t only easier, but it is also much more fun, which is why you might want to consider making the change during one of the most exciting periods of the year.
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