Steps to LivingWell

Since you need fewer calories as you age, it might be tempting to skip meals or cut snacks to keep your weight in check.  But if you miss breakfast, go too long without eating, or snack on sweets, you may not only set yourself up for diet disaster but speed up the aging process as well.  You can snack your way to weight loss while getting the energy you need to do the things you love, keep cravings under control, and stay within your daily calorie requirements.

Instead of fattening ice creams, choose summer snacks based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy.  This keeps the calories low while still packing in healthy vitamins, minerals and fibre. Choose foods that cool you down and make the most of Ontario produce; at its peak in the summer. Building your snacks around fruits and veggies is a delicious, low-calorie way to help you reap the benefits of their age-fighting antioxidants and protective compounds.

Planning is the key to eating healthy and snacks are no different.  You need to have a game plan to keep yourself on track when hunger strikes.   Keeping the fridge stocked with quick and healthy snacks such as carrots, celery stalks, cherries, blueberries and juicy cold grapes will help you resist those less healthy choices. 

Does any fruit signal the start of summer more than a big, red, juicy watermelon?  Watermelon is the fruit of choice when it comes to a cool dessert during the dog days of summer.