By Fran Spelgatti

With summer upon us, cookout and picnic season has begun for many families. With the warmer weather eating lighter can make a difference in how you feel. Supermarkets and farmer’s markets will have an increasing variety of produce at an affordable price as local fruits and vegetables come into season. Fruits and vegetables have high water content (80-96%), no fat, few calories and fiber. The low energy density fills us up on fewer calories and the fiber slows digestion so we don’t get hungry as quickly. We also get lots of Vitamins A and C, phytonutrients and antioxidants to strengthen our immune system and prevent chronic diseases.

Use a variety of vegetables and lean proteins to make an entrée salad or tasty balanced meal at this summer’s cookout. Be wise when choosing the beverages at the picnics this summer especially sodas, sweetened teas, fruit drinks and fancy coffee concoctions can add up to several hundred extra calories. Instead, drink water or unsweetened beverages.

If you have to snack on something when you’re at a celebration or party plan ahead and see yourself making a healthy choice such as - whole grains, low-glycemic fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and lean proteins. Skip the chips and cookies and have nonfat yogurt with fruit, low-sodium tomato juice or a glass of water.

Eating is truly one of life's pleasures, and you should be able to fully enjoy eating out just as much as eating in, without suffering negative consequences. Learn simple practices to help you relax and enjoy eating out and celebrations without the guilt hangover with the CD process -    Planning for Healthy Celebrations HH-012.

If you would like more information on Self-Hypnosis, MindMastery® or the Hypno-Health™ process talked about in this article, you can contact your local Positive Changes center at 1-877-POSITIVE for more information.