When the heat is on, we often want to eat less. Make sure you choose healthy options and take in fewer calories than you burn. Experts say that produce is at its at its peak in summer. You can load up on fruits and vegetables and not worry about doing damage, or adding pounds to your frame. Here are dietician’s picks for some of the best, healthiest foods for summer.

Chilled Soups

Chilled soups like gazpacho or cucumber-dill that contain lots of chunky vegetables are a great way to start a meal.

Research shows that a low-calorie, broth-based soup at the beginning of the meal will fill you so you eat less at the meal.

Watermelon

Half of the watermelon comes from water. It’s a wonderful way to satisfy thirst and a yen for something sweet.

Grilled Veggies

Try keeping a plate of grilled onions, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, and garlic in your fridge.

Salads

Salads make for quick, healthy meals — with no recipes required.

Low- and No-Calorie Beverages

Beverages can be the Achilles heel during summertime because we need to drink lots of liquids to stay cool, but liquids quench thirst and don’t usually impact our hunger, so choose drinks that won’t blow your diet.

Fruit-Based Desserts

Ditch high-calorie desserts and opt for naturally sweet treats that can tame the most ferocious sweet tooth

suggestsions:

  • Grilled banana sundaes made with low-fat ice cream
  • Grilled pineapple with rum and pecans
  • Grilled white peaches with blackberries and honey
  • Frozen, dark, sweet cherries
  • A chocolate-covered frozen banana
  • Frozen grapes