Health Canada
For most Canadians, summer means
spending time outdoors soaking up the
warm, sunny weather with family and
friends.
And because of the warmer
temperatures, many of us prefer eating on
the go or grilling outdoors instead of
cooking in a hot kitchen. But preparing
quick and easy meals doesn't mean
sacrificing flavour or good nutrition.
Use the tips below to help you and
your family plan healthy summer meals
without breaking a sweat.
Healthy summer eating on the go
Hitting the road for summer
holidays? Make healthy eating a breeze by
planning healthy meals and snacks before
leaving home.
For picnics and trips, pack the four
food groups, like bite-sized veggies, whole
grain crackers, cheese cubes, and nuts. Get
the kids involved by asking them to help
plan and pack the picnic.
Heading to the lake or going camping?
Plan your meals before you leave. You'll
spend less time in the grocery store and
more time having fun!
Going hiking or on a road trip? Take
healthy snacks to keep you fueled all day
long. Try veggie sticks, fruit, homemade trail
mix, muffins, yogurt, and sandwiches. Use
ice packs to keep cold food cold.
Don't leave home without a bottle of
water. Water is the perfect drink on a hot
summer day.
Healthy no-cook meals and snacks
Beat the heat with these healthy,
no-cook summer meals and snacks.
Choosing heat-free recipes also means you'll
spend less time in the kitchen, and more
time enjoying the outdoors.
Short on time? Throw together a quick
and easy salad with lower-sodium canned
beans and corn, brown rice, and sweet
peppers.
Feed a big group in record time by
serving a platter of cherry tomatoes,
cucumber, broccoli, carrots, whole gr ain
pitas, cheese, and hummus.
Impress your guests with a Caprese salad.
Layer thick slices of tomato, buffalo
mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. Top with a
tiny drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and
balsamic vinegar.
Grocery shopping for healthy summer
foods
Turn grocery shopping into a fun,
family field trip. You'll spend quality time
together while building healthy eating
habits.
Add lots of colour and crunch to your
cart. Summer is a great time for vibrant,
fresh salads and savoury, grilled veggies.
Visit your local grocery store or farmers'
market to find out what's in season.
Stock up on brown rice, quinoa, chick
peas, and whole grain pasta. They make
great summer salads when tossed with fresh
veggies.
Tell us on Facebook about your adventures with food this month,
or tweet us @thehubWE #foodmatters
July 2017 - The HUB 7