Summertime Blues--Summertime Food Cravings...

I've been struggling these last couple of weeks since returning from my Louisville adventure. Not that I haven't been exercising and trying to eat healthily, but the real culprit is "summer."  And as of last week, it's officially HERE, with all its glorious heat and humidity.

For many Americans, special occasions, holidays, and even seasons, conjure up memories of or cravings for certain kinds of foods.  Food association is the name of the game.  You say "Thanksgiving," I say "turkey."  Personally, I very strongly feel (and mind you, for no real reason) that fall is a time of cinnamon, hearty foods, and pumpkin pie.  I just find the thought of eating a slice of pumpkin pie in July, completely absurd, for instance.  Why is this?

Studies have shown that smells, images, and yes, foods too, are associated with ideas and memories in our minds.  This is the reason why certain foods become "comfort foods" for many--they are associated with happy feelings, comfort, or a particular event or person that made one feel this way.  So what's my food association for summer all about?  Ice cream (Specifically the Merrill Whippy Dip--it just tastes better in Merrill!) Strawberry Shortcake (with Michigan strawberries, fresh picked). And also the usual hamburgers, grilled items, etc.

Now, I believe all things in moderation.  There is no harm is getting ice cream every now and again, or eating that strawberry shortcake--but for some reason there is a greater craving for it in the summertime, for me anyway.  So, I'm offering up some suggestions here in hopes of being able to follow my own wise advice once it's written in 'electronic stone' forever. 

Foremost, look at your options.  What is it about the seasonal foods that you love?  Is there a healthier choice to be made? I like ice cream, but rarely eat it during any other time of the year--it's cool and sweet on a hot day.  Ice cream in December, just doesn't have the same meaning for me--so really, anything cool might fit the bill, right?  Likewise, sometimes I need chocolate (and what woman doesn't?) but mostly it's just the "treat factor."  Instead of high calorie soft serve, aim for frozen Greek yogurt, which also boasts protein.  Instead of hot fudge, try a fruit topping on that sundae.  Or just get a smaller portion size of your favorite flavor.  A "junior" sized cone and superman ice cream will no doubt be just as satisfying as a "large"--and you'll look like a dork for a lot shorter period of time while you eat it.

Secondarily, I think one should absolutely take advantage of those rare seasonal items--like Michigan strawberries.  You have to eat them while they're here!  Strawberry shortcake can be healthified too, so take the time to make your own and enjoy those local berries the smart way.  I always use Bisquick baking mix for my strawberry shortcakes--a holdover from my childhood, but I've since switched to the "heart healthy" version, which is slightly lower in calories and fat.  Mix up the biscuits with skim milk and Stevia instead of sugar.  The heart healthy version doesn't require any added butter, so don't add any.  The biscuits are purely meant to sop up the strawberry oozy deliciousness, so you won't miss the fat, trust me.  Likewise, I always use Stevia to sweeten my fruit--something about the fact that it's a natural, plant-based sweetener, makes it go better with fruit than say Splenda, Equal, etc.  However, keep in mind that with local, seasonal fruit, you shouldn't need near as much sweetener as you would for those California berries back in February.  Taste first!  Top off your shortcake with some Lite Cool Whip, Fat Free Cool Whip, or light whipped cream, but let the berries shine--'tis the season, after all!

And finally, balance out food expenditures by banking some exercise points early in the day.  As the weather gets warmer, it's less enjoyable to hit the pavement for that five mile run, but I know if I run five miles, I can eat an extra 500-600 calories for the day (that's a couple of glasses of wine!) and get a boost to burn through what I eat as well. Exercise early if possible.  Today I got up at six in the morning--not always possible (or probable), but I knew the high for today was slated to be somewhere around the 84-degree mark.  At six, it was already nearly 70-degrees outside.  To a runner, that 70' very quickly feels like 90'--hot enough!  So out I went.  Additionally, if you know you're going to be eating something outside of your normal healthy routine--like ice cream, because it's hot, hot, hot outside--exercise a little longer if possible, or just make sure you don't skip it that day.  It really is all about calories in versus calories out, so again, the message here is be conscious of what you're putting in your body and what you're doing to work it off!