Summer is in full blast and even though we are in the middle of a pandemic, I’m sure you will attend a couple of BBQ parties during these hot months.
Ok, Ok, but how do I enjoy these gatherings without overeating or feeling guilty the next day, you may ask?
First and foremost, please enjoy spending time with your loved ones, now that you CAN! And remember this is a special occasion, you don’t do this every day, so it’s OK to indulge a little. Try to eat and drink with moderation. Moderation is the key to a happy, balanced EVERYTHING. Really! Remember to check in with yourself from time to time and if you feel full then STOP!
For alcohol, stick to hard liquor or dry wine, and remember alcohol + sweet fruit juices are an evil combo with a guaranteed, evil headache the next day! 🤕🥴🥴
The following tips can help with moderation-
Eat before you go, don’t restrict food in the first part of the day knowing that you can eat at the party later. Eat a balanced breakfast and depending on the time of the party, eat lunch or a snack before showing up. This trick will prevent cravings and overeating.
Hydrate! Make sure that you drink enough water throughout the day. Being outside in the heat and drinking alcohol will quickly dehydrate your body. If you are dehydrated, you get drunk faster and it will hurt more the next day. Sparkling water with lemon is an amazing drink that can substitute alcoholic bevvies or can be consumed between alcoholic drinks.
Bring a salad or make sure there is some on the menu. Before diving in, check out all the food items to familiarize with your options and remember a balanced meal has PROTEIN, FATS AND FIBER! Build a plate that is mostly vegetables, and add some protein from the grill. Bun or No Bun? You can always choose to eat that hot dog or burger on the top of greens and veggies, but if you really feel like eating that bun, please don’t feel guilty about it.
Exercise on the day! It promotes endorphin production which makes you happy and relaxed. Showing up in a relaxed state can help with social anxiety and overeating/ drinking due to that. Exercise burns calories “making room” for a potentially big meal and allows you to not feel so guilty about it.
Dessert! I won’t tell you to eat fruit salad instead of your favorite pie, but I want to remind you to eat 1 slice instead of 3. Eat it slowly to enjoy and savor every bite. We want our favorite foods for the flavor and the emotions associated with that flavor anyway. If you like fruit salad, go for it. The point is not to eat more than one portion of dessert. One portion means 1 slice of pie/cake or 1 cup of fruit.
Have a wonderful Summer!
Love & melons,
❤️🍉