Best Summer Foods to Eat If You’re Trying to Lose Weight

The sweet siren call of summer is beckoning, but are you ready for swimsuit weather?

Do you need help losing that unwanted weight quickly?

Are you ready to leave winter doldrums and heavy clothing in your wake?

Then you need to know how to plan warm-weather meals that are geared to help you become lean, trim, fit and sexy.

Here is a guide to the best summer foods for healthy and fast weight loss.

The changing weather makes it easier for most of us to avoid rich, heavy dishes that are packed with calories. As the thermometer climbs higher, we tend to look for food choices that are simple to prepare and cool to eat.

The sun, warm temperatures and sweltering humidity that herald the arrival of spring and summer are just a few of the factors that make those heavy meals less tempting.

This is the time of year when your body craves the refreshing tastes of lighter, healthier foods. With these facts in mind what better time to get started on a new diet?

Light eating does not have to mean that the foods are going to be bland or boring. Choose summertime delights that are wonderfully refreshing to eat. Fresh foods such as fruits, berries, and veggies are at their peak of delicious perfection during the warmer months of the year.

You can even grow a variety of fresh produce in a small backyard garden and save some money while you lose weight.

Vitamins, phytonutrients, minerals, antioxidants, and digestion-friendly fiber are found in leafy green veggies, sun-ripened fruit, whole grains, nuts, legumes and herbs that are so abundant during the spring and summer seasons.

Soup or Salad?

Salads can become the main dish on your table. The base of a main-course salad may be constructed with fresh greens, generous portions of tomatoes, some onions and peppers. Add a lean protein such as baked fish, grilled chicken or sliced turkey. Garnish with chives, dill, mint or other herbs.

A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors of your salad. If you want to amp up the flavor, then spritz the salad with a homemade oil and vinegar dressing. Fruit salads, veggie salads, and pasta salads offer an unlimited combination of flavors and nutrition that are ideal for a weight-loss program.

Cold soup is a wonderful treat for spring and summer. This low-calorie meal can be created with tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh herbs. Think of using gazpacho as your main dish instead of an appetizer. Consider creating a chilled soup with ingredients that include vine-ripened cukes and spicy dill leaves.

Make Meals Healthy with the Magic of Melons

Indulge in some melon madness and watch those pounds melt away. Lush slices of honeydew, fragrantly sweet chunks of cantaloupe and generous portions of ripe watermelon will fill your tummy quickly. The high water content will keep you hydrated and help flush out those toxins.

Splurge with a Vegetable Feast

Veggies are some of the most nutritionally rich foods to enjoy throughout the year. When the summer months are arriving, you can indulge your taste buds by adding baby vegetables to the menu. Tender carrots, squash, and beets are simply superior in flavor when harvested early. Even those baby greens have a spectacular flavor to offer.

Grilled or roasted veggies can be a delicious addition to your dinner table. You can enjoy a large serving of grilled eggplant, zucchini, onions, red peppers, and carrots without worrying about the calorie count. In fact, you are encouraged to eat second or third helpings of these robustly flavored vegetables.

Soothe Appetite Cravings with a Super Summer Smoothie

Make summertime smoothies that are good for the waistline and good for your health. Blend ice, a dash of vanilla extract, a banana and a handful of fresh berries for a low-calorie smoothie that you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can even toss in some fresh herbs or vegetables to boost the nutritional content.

Dine Lightly with a Dazzling Frozen Dessert

Frozen bananas, frozen berries or frozen grapes can be used as lighter dessert options. You can add a little chocolate drizzle to these icy treats if you prefer. The fruit is low in calories and will be the perfect ending for a summer meal.

Emily Navarro is a registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert who manages her own food and nutrition consulting practice. Emily Navarro, RDN