Tips on staying healthy this summer

BBQs, sunbathing days, and trips to the pub... We all deserve a treat during summer, but maybe you’re looking to avoid a sore head or an unhappy gut the next day.

How can you do the things you love over the holidays without overindulging?

Skip to: Keep it balanced | Eat fresh | Avoid skipping meals | Stay active (safely) | Make mindful swaps

Summer brings endless moments to enjoy a treat. Sometimes it can be stressful to decide when to say yes and when to say no.

Whatever you eat, allow yourself time to enjoy it and stop when you’re no longer hungry. Put some aside to enjoy later, if you need to.

Make sure you’re drinking enough water and getting enough sleep, too; these can help your body distinguish hunger cues from cravings.

It’s important to prioritise nutrient-rich foods most of the time – it's how we can stay healthy in the long run – but who’s to say no to an ice cream every so often?

Want to get more fruit and veg in? Good news: it’s the perfect time of year.

If the hot weather leaves you feeling sluggish, try to keep your meals light and fresh. Jazz up salads with grains, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Chop everything finely to mix flavour into every bite (it’ll feel more like a cohesive meal and less like a bowl of leaves).

We all know that staying active is one of the best things we can do for our body.

Many of us do more exercise when the days are longer and warmer. Even summer activities like gardening and going out with friends can keep us moving more.

Sometimes, it’s more about compromise than restriction.

Take time to assess how you’re feeling: do you need to eat more or less than usual? Or make some simple swaps:

• Embracing iced coffee season? Choose a lower-fat milk if you’d prefer.
• Swap mayo in potato salads or pasta for half lower-fat mayo and half natural yoghurt.
• Make every second drink a soft drink to limit your alcohol intake. Not only does this keep you healthier, but drinking alcohol in hot weather can increase your risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
• Swap out your BBQ favourites for plant-based or lower-fat options. No need to say goodbye to sausages and burgers!
• Make your own BBQ marinades where you can to avoid hidden sugar.
• Swap your cocktail out for a mocktail every so often, go sugar-free, or opt for slimline tonic in your gin.