Healthy Summer Foods

You spend a considerable amount of time and energy on meal planning – three squares a day, plus a snack or two – not to mention the time it takes to actually prepare those meals. Thankfully, meal planning is easier in the summer when a cornucopia of healthy options is in season, ready for you to put on your plate. Many popular warm-weather foods are nutritionally dense, offering the added bonus of helping you get the vitamins and nutrients you need to remain healthy and get through those toasty summer days.

At Stonebridge at Montgomery, we recognize the necessity of keeping a balanced diet. This post gives you a day’s worth of healthy summer recipes. Try incorporating one or more of these meals in your diet plan – each one includes necessary nutrients and features food fresh from the summer bounty.

A Day of Healthy Summer Recipes

Breakfast: It’s regularly said that breakfast is the most important meal. This is the meal that kick-starts your day and gives you energy to fully participate in activities you have planned, as well as promotes weight maintenance and weight loss by maintaining blood glucose levels and your metabolism. A simple recipe perfect for summer is mixed berry overnight oats – simply add all ingredients in a container, place in the refrigerator and enjoy in the morning. In-season blackberries and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants, high in fiber and help fight inflammation.

Lunch: Lunch raises your blood sugar level in the middle of the day and gives you the motivation and focus you need to complete the afternoon. For a twist on a summertime staple, chicken pasta salad transforms a side dish into a complete meal. Tomatoes in this dish are freshest during the summer months and are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Snack: Although eating between meals has developed a negative image, a well-balanced snack decreases your hunger and keeps you from overeating at meal times. It’s also an additional way to take in the necessary daily vitamins and nutrients. Summer fruit bruschetta is a fun dish highlighting fruits ripe in the warm weather. Strawberries are packed with fiber, folate and potassium and offer numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, a strengthened immune system and enhanced brain health.

Dinner: Eating dinner with family or friends also allows you to connect with others, increasing your social wellness. Summer is the time for getting together and grilling outside, and grilled halibut with summer squash is a crowd-pleasing dish. Zucchini contains zero fat and significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, like riboflavin and potassium, and halibut can provide more than a third of your dietary needs for numerous vitamins and minerals, including phosphorus and vitamins B12 and B6.

Enjoy Healthy Meals Year-Round at Stonebridge at Montgomery

Our chefs at Stonebridge at Montgomery are committed to health and quality. The dining team ensures the freshest, most nutritionally beneficial ingredients are used in each dish. We focus our menus based on what’s in season, serving you fresh, tasty food that you’ll love. We’d love for you to join us for a meal – contact us today to schedule your personal tour.