Certain eating habits adopted during the summer are good for your health, others a little less so. We take stock with Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist.
Good summer habits to keep
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
In summer, our consumption of fruits and vegetables increases because we are naturally attracted to these foods when it is hot. It must also be said that we have more choice on the stalls.It’s a good habit to keep throughout the year because fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. In winter, we don’t do it enough but it is also important to eat raw fruits and vegetables because cooking reduces their content of good nutrients.”, explains the dietician.
To drink a lot of water
This is advice that we have heard a lot this summer, especially during heatwaves. But it is a gesture that we should not forget the rest of the year even when temperatures are not high.Considered recommends drinking a minimum of 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day (for adults) and even before you feel thirsty.
Cooking on the griddle
Cooking on a plancha has several nutritional benefits. “It is a cooking method that requires little fat, thus limiting our fat intake. The plancha also allows food to be cooked quickly, which preserves its nutritional quality”says Alexandre Murcier.
Expose yourself to outside light
In summer, the nice weather motivates us more to go outside. We then stock up on vitamin D (it is produced by the skin under the action of ultraviolet rays).With the arrival of autumn, even if the weather is less clement, we must get into the habit of exposing ourselves to natural light in the morning, to stimulate our production of vitamin D, a vitamin essential for the proper functioning of our body.”insists the nutritionist.
To be active
While for some, the summer break is all about lounging on a deckchair all day, for many it allows them to move more than during the rest of the year. The good weather makes them want to try new outdoor activities but also to favor walking for short journeys.In summer, we are less sedentary than in winter. This allows you to burn more calories and therefore limit weight gain.recalls Alexandra Murcier.
Listen to yourself
During the summer holidays, slowing down and not being polluted by the annoyances of everyday life encourages us to listen more to our bodies. “In summer, we are less likely to take refuge in food at the slightest hassle, we take our minds off things by moving. It is important to keep this dynamic the rest of the year as much as possible”, advises Alexandra Murcier.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
Good resolutions? Fewer aperitifs, barbecues and ice creams!
The end of summer is also an opportunity to abandon certain bad eating habits that have developed over the weeks. We think in particular of frequent alcohol intake, daily ice cream or even repeated barbecues. As a reminder, alcohol, in addition to being dangerous for your health when consumed in excess, is very high in calories.
Ice cream is a product to be consumed occasionally because it is rich in sugars.
Finally, cooking food at high temperatures, particularly in direct contact with the flame, leads to the formation of chemical compounds on the surface, some of which, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and in particular benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), have carcinogenic properties.