Does it ever feel like your sweet tooth becomes more difficult to manage when it is hot outside? For so many, the hotter it gets, the more intense the cravings become. You can blame this on the many summertime sweets that so many of us enjoyed as kids. From popsicles to lemon ice, the hot weather almost feels easier to manage when you have something cold and sweet to munch on.
However, those summertime sweets aren’t part of your medical weight loss plan, and giving into those cravings will cause you to go off-track and add extra calories and sugar to your daily diet.
The summer is a great time to really focus on your weight loss efforts. The warm weather provides ample opportunity to head outside to work out and work up a sweat, and some of the sweetest and healthiest fruits are in season, making it cheap and easy to find top-quality produce anywhere you look.
Summertime with Watermelon
Watermelon is a summertime staple. It is a must-have at barbeques and beach trips, and the sweet flavor is a favorite among kids and adults. What you may not realize is that watermelon is also a great low-calorie healthy snack—one that can help keep you hydrated as well as on track with your medical weight loss diet.
Here are a few reasons why watermelon is a great addition to any summer meal plan:
- Watermelon is 92% water. This means that every bite you take is almost like taking a sip of water. In the heat of the summer, this extra hydration is super helpful.
- Watermelon is considered a cooling food, which means that it is recommended for bringing down your body temperature. This is great when you are looking for a snack after a long day outside. Watermelon is so effective in this regard that it was actually once used as a treatment method for helping children with heatstroke.
- Watermelon is high in fiber and low in sugar. Despite its sweet taste, watermelon has less sugar per serving than do pears, apples or grapes.
Indulge your sweet tooth without losing track of your weight loss goals by opting for sweet treats like watermelon as the hottest months of the year drag heat waves over Arizona. Before you make any changes to your weight loss diet it is recommended that you check with your weight loss doctor, first.