5 junk-food habits to beat this summer
Summer is a great time to make changes to your diet. Fresh, appetizing produce at grocery stores and in farmer’s markets makes starting the habit of avoiding junk food and eating right just that much easier to form.
Here are some common summer junk food habits and how to substitute:
French fries
Make your own version: spray a cooking sheet with non-stick spray coating. Cut four baking potatoes lengthwise into 12 pieces. Toss with one tablespoon of olive oil and your choice of seasonings – try garlic salt, Tex-Mex seasoning mix, or onion powder. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees Farenheit for 25-30 minutes or until crispy. This works great with sweet potatoes as well.
Potatoes mashed with a tablespoon or two of olive oil and non- or low-fat milk with gravy
Baked potato topped with low-fat sour cream, low-fat cheese, chives, and tomatoes
Ice Cream
Try frozen yoghurt or low-fat ice cream instead
Make your own popsicles: blend frozen fruit and non-fat yoghurt in the blender; freeze in popsicle makers or paper cups with plastic wrap on top and a stir-stick poked through
Buy a bag of frozen fruit a eat frozen; dip in chocolate sauce for an extra-rich treat
Soda Pop
Add unsweetened fruit juice to club soda (check for the kind with no sodium) instead
Make your own iced tea (so you control the sugar); consider using decaffinated tea bags or herbal tea
Blend up ice and unsweetened fruit juice for a virgin dacquiri-type drink
Potato chips
Choose pretzels or unbuttered popcorn instead; rice crackers are another option, although they can be an aquired taste
Try pita bread (or mini-pitas) with hummus
A tray of crisp veggies and low-fat dip can seem just as festive
Cake and pastries
Try angel food cake topped with fresh fruit
Substitute apple or peace crisp with cereal topping for pies
For a real change of pace try a chocolate fondue with loads of fruit for dipping