A Slimmer Summer

Summer Healthy Eating Tips

Summer brings warmer weather, an abundance of fresh produce, and often, a desire to rediscover our “beach bods.” This confluence of events gets many of us to refocus on our diet, which is a good thing.

Yes, there are a myriad of weight-loss options out there, from programmatic offerings like Weight Watchers to injectable medications such as GLPs (e.g., Wegovy, Ozempic). But from a nutritional standpoint, nothing beats a healthy diet that incorporates a smart combination of fresh foods proven to be good for your body.

So, where to begin? Start with your primary care practitioner, who can advise you on the diet that makes the most sense for you. If you don’t have a primary care practitioner or PCP, you can find an Ennis Medical Group clinician here.

Your provider will likely suggest one or more of the most popular and effective diets recommended by experts. You can also do your own research on what sounds best for you, as these diets are only a click away via Internet search. You’ll find that today’s top diets include:

The Mediterranean Diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, with fish and poultry eaten far more frequently than red meat. It recommends avoiding processed foods, cheese, and anything fried. It's known for its heart-healthy benefits and is often cited as a model for overall healthy eating.

The DASH Diet (DASH being an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which focuses on reducing sodium intake while emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. It was initially designed to help manage or prevent high blood pressure.

The Flexitarian Diet, which is a semi-vegetarian approach to nutrition that promotes a plant-based diet with only occasional meat or poultry. The “flexibility” allows you to benefit from the pro-health aspects of vegetarianism while still mixing in animal products here and there.

The MIND Diet (MIND being an acronym for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), which combines the Mediterranean and DASH diets to promote brain health and potentially slow cognitive decline.

Each of these diets is considered healthy, balanced, and adaptable to individual preferences and needs. They all share a common thread of emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods and limiting processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats.

These diets can go a long way in helping you discover your beach physique. And two of the diets – the Mediterranean Diet and the MIND Diet – can go a long way in helping you remember your beach body, decades from now.

According to recent studies, both diets are associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Apparently, Diets that emphasize foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins – while limiting processed foods, red meat, and unhealthy fats – are good for your brain.

Try one of these diets on for (less) size. Try them all. One of the most important things you can do to positively influence your health is to be smart about what you eat.

Today, approximately four of 10 adult Americans qualify as obese, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, certain cancers, and mental health issues.

Starting a healthy diet this summer is a great way to be healthy for many more summers.