As the heat of the summer presses on, many parents find it difficult to help their families eat healthy every day. There’s always so much to do, as busy schedules war with the desire to eat nutritious meals, and fast food often wins out simply because it’s convenient. However, summer is one of the best times to eat healthy, simply because there are so many fresh fruits and vegetables at your disposal. With a little planning and some creativity, you can help your family maintain a healthy diet all throughout the warmer months.
Having the right tools and materials will help immensely, so take care to acquire the pots, pans, utensils and, of course, fresh ingredients. This will help save you time, which will keep you motivated to stick with healthy choices. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for you to get your family involved in the kitchen and teach kids about the importance of healthy eating and responsibility.
Get the right tools
Having the right cookware on hand will help you stick with a healthy-eating plan. Some of the best items include the All-Clad 401488R Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded Dishwasher Safe Cookware Set, the Red Copper 10-piece Ceramic Cookware Set and Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard Anodized 17-Piece Set. Having a sturdy set of pots and pans will provide you with many ways to prepare nutritious meals without relying on takeout or pizza delivery.
Spice things up
Unfortunately, not every member of the family loves fruits and veggies, so it can be frustrating to plan healthy meals for everyone. Consider using jellies, flavorful marinara sauces and other culinary delights to spice up your dishes and make them more interesting. Check out products such as the The Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce, Mango Ginger Habanero, or Mom’s Pasta Sauce Organic Roasted Pepper to enhance your meals.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead is always a good thing when it comes to preparing meals. Look for recipe ideas online, write down the ingredients you’ll need and then stick to your shopping list when you’re at the store. This will allow you to adhere to a budget and ensure that your meal plan for the week is taken care of, giving you peace of mind and reducing stress at the same time.
Go vegetarian
The way you eat can actually help you stave off the heat, so consider going vegetarian once in a while and preparing meals full of vitamin-rich veggies and whole grains. Or, look for lean meats or fish for your source of protein. Fatty meats can make your metabolism work overtime, warming up your body at the same time. Look for delicious pasta recipes that include heart-healthy olive oil and tomatoes, or cook up a vegetarian stir-fry full of brown rice and greens.
Keep healthy snacks available
Keeping healthy snacks handy will help your family make better choices, so instead of grabbing those chips the next time you go to the store, stock up on string cheese, ingredients for chicken Caesar wraps and dried fruit and nuts.
Helping your family make healthy choices this summer doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. With some good planning and a little creativity, you can make great meals, stay on budget and keep everyone feeling good at the same time.
Written by, Dylan Foster – http://healthwellwise.com/
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