Summer is here, and that means barbecues, trips to go get ice cream, and plenty of pool parties. And with this in mind, it can be quite hard not to indulge a few times. However, for weight loss success, any medical weight loss program requires some initial weight loss before even considering bariatric surgery. Considering that half of Americans explain that they are unsuccessful at losing weight because they don’t have enough self-discipline, summertime can be exceptionally hard for anyone on a diet.
Therefore, our medical weight loss center has created some simple nutrition swaps to follow this summer to help stay on track with your diet!
- Have seafood instead of red meat
Take advantage of the fresh seafood this time of year and incorporate it into your meals as much as you can. Seafood is lower in calories and fat than meat and chicken and will make you feel fuller faster, lowering the chance you’ll overindulge. - Sip green tea instead of sweet iced teas
Typical iced teas are full of processed sugar and calories. Swap out these teas for green tea that is sweet enough on its own. Plus, green tea is filled with antioxidants that can speed up your metabolism. - Get creative with your fruits and veggies
There is no other time of the year where there are as many fruits and veggies in season than summertime! So eat as many as you can and fill up your plate with color. To prevent getting bored with what you’re eating, be creative and try out your fruits and veggies grilled, roasted, raw, and sauteed! - Don’t forget to hydrate
Being thirsty sometimes can feel like being hungry, which causes you to overeat. To keep this at bay, always keep a full bottle of water with you at all times and sip to your heart’s delight. - Bring healthy snacks with you
Just because you are headed to the beach, that doesn’t mean you have to eat junk food. Instead, pack some whole grain bread, cheese, fruits, and nuts to stay full and to keep the temptations away.
Gastric bypass surgery and gastric sleeve surgery require a change in your lifestyle. So to make your medical weight loss program work for you, be sure to make these healthy swaps as soon as possible!