Thursday 16 June 2011

Tips to Avoid Overeating this Summer

As my son and I enjoyed his first trip on a subway train, he was amused at all the posters featuring food. Pepto-bismol ads littered the train with images of bacon cheeseburgers and kabobs with Pepto-bismol bottles inserted within the food images.



For those of you who may not know what Pepto-bismol is, it provides relief for upset stomach, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and indigestion. When I see ads such as these it bothers me to no end. It can be interpreted that consuming high fat, high calorie foods or over-eating at "BBQs" can be relieved by one swig of this liquid product.

This concept is reactive rather than proactive. Overindulging is a matter of self-discipline, not self-medicating. Summer is short in Canada and although we want to enjoy our patio lunches and long weekend gatherings, it should not be at the expense of your health and well being. Here are 4 ways you can avoid overeating this summer.

1.  At "serve yourself" functions,  choose one item from each of the four food groups. For example your plate may consist of a cheeseburger on a bun (meat, grains, dairy), a tossed salad and fruit for dessert (fruits & vegetables). If you are eyeing the potato or pasta salad (grains), take a small scoop and skip the bun on the burger. Then, stop eating.

2. Limit alcoholic beverages to 1 serving and drink more water. Alcohol adds calories and can lead to dehydration, especially on a hot summer's day.

3. Choose one "sweet" dessert. If a variety is being offered, choose the one you think you would enjoy the most and typically eat less often.

4.  Spend more time socializing and less time eating. You'll likely have more fun and feel better too.

If you are the host, make sure you offer a variety of foods for your guests, including an assortment of fruits and vegetables for those trying to enjoy lighter fare. And remember, quality is often better appreciated than quantity.

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