Quality of meals shouldn't change during summer

Don’t close the door on healthy eating habits during the summer, says a Baylor College of Medicine pediatrician.

“Certainly it is just as important to eat healthy over the summer as it is any other time of the year,” said Dr. Teresia O’Connor, assistant professor of pediatrics – nutrition at Baylor.

Tips for healthy summer eating

• Incorporate fruits and vegetables in all meals
• A healthy summer lunch should include a fruit, a vegetable, some form of protein and whole grains
• Don’t skip breakfast
• Eat three meals a day with one to two snacks
• Stay hydrated – water is the best and healthiest way to stay hydrated
• Be aware of how much sugar is in beverages – while it’s okay to drink a small amount of these beverages, primary drinks should be water and low-fat or skim milk
• Encourage children and teens to help prepare their own meals so they become responsible for their own healthy eating

Get ideas for new and exciting meals from our selection of dietitian-approved recipes.

Heading outside for your meal? Read our expert’s tips for dining al fresco.