Dietitian’s Favourite Healthy Summer Food Inspirations

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 1: Local food in abundance

Are you striving to grocery shop in an environmentally sustainable way? Or are you looking for the best flavours in town? Shopping for local fruits and veg is the way forward! Summertime is the key season to find local produce hitting supermarket shelves and farmers market stalls. And you are not only helping your local economy! You are also reducing food miles and getting a whole lot of flavour for good value!

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 2: Salad season is here!

Salads can be as plain or wild as you make them, but they all have their charm. A simple lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad livens up any sandwich. And a quinoa, lentil and crunchy raw veg salad can make a fully balanced meal! Get creative this summer by seeking out tasty salad recipes. And try out salad combo’s that you hadn’t considered before. Perhaps some of these summery salads will be added to your year-long repertoire! And so, you can stay on top of your vegetable intake all year round!

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 3: Grilling is back in fashion.

Summer meals are complimented by some delicious lean proteins such as chicken, fish and shellfish. That delicious crispy taste you get from grilling your meat on either a BBQ (or under your oven grill) will definitely add interest to your dish. And it will also reduce the calorie content of your meats by allowing excess fats to drain off. However, do not let the crispy meats get too blackened. Burnt proteins are potentially carcinogenic. This means they can increase your risk of developing cancer. So keep a close eye on your meats, and aim for a perfectly golden crisp.

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 4: Veggie dishes make great summer-time meals

As summer meals are naturally higher in fresh vegetables, why not try out some great veggie recipes! You can include some beans and lentils into your salads and curries for a healthy boost of lean protein and soluble fibre. Or have a veggie barbeque by grilling up some haloumi cheese slices, quorn burgers and tofu steaks. As some of you guys know, I am pescatarian myself. This means that I eat mostly vegetarian meals and occasionally eat fish. I believe me, I’d have a grilled haloumi cheese wrap anytime of the day… It brings back some serious holiday memories from my time in Greece, where haloumi cheese wraps were an almost daily feature on my menu!

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 5: Time to explore your wholegrains

Including regular wholegrains in your diet is key in keeping our guts and waist-lines healthy. But wholegrains can get a whole lot more exciting than just brown bread, pasta and rice! There are plenty of other delicious options are becoming more readily available these days. Why not try bulgar wheat, quinoa, barley or millet for a wholegrain boost. They can add an interesting twist to your regular salads, stir fries and soups.

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 6: Hydration Inspiration

Hot summers means that keeping an eye on your hydration becomes even more important! And what better way to stay hydrated than to try out a host of summery flavoured water and mocktail recipes. You’ll be surprised by the difference a few raspberries and a sprig of basil can make to your water! Try out several combinations of fresh fruit, herbs and even spices. And a big jug of ice-cold water filled with fruits and mint leaves makes a great eye-catching BBQ centrepiece

Summer-time foodie inspiration number 7: Finally, the weather is right for picnics and barbecues

Insects, wind, rain… Yes, eating outdoors brings its challenges. But during summer the chances of encountering at least the latter two of those inconveniences are reduced. There is a definite charm to eating outside. Why not combine an after-work walk with a delicious picnic? And invite friends over for a Sunday BBQ to squeeze a good dose of healthy food and socialising into an otherwise lazy day!

When the summer temperatures rise, we rush by the thousands to stock up on BBQ gear. Now, it is important that we keep an eye on food safety to make sure that your BBQ is memorable for all the right reasons… Make sure you have caught my previous post, where I explore the key principles that will reduce your risk of summer-time food poisoning, both when staying at home and when away travelling!

What is your favourite food time of year? Do you eagerly await the moment that your favourite Christmas goodies hit the supermarket shelves? Or are you a salad-ey summer food fanatic like myself? Let me know in the comments box below!

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