Summer is a wonderful time for eating healthy. Farmer's markets around every city block and even large supermarkets stock the juiciest of fruits, the squeakiest corn and the freshest of produce throughout these warm months. But summertime can also be a tempting time to slip off a strict diet for an innocent ice cream cone or a quick go through the drive-through on the way to a baseball game.
In anticipation of these dreaded enticements, the editors of Recipe4Living have been stocking up on healthy summer recipes to keep us in line. Hillary already tried out these Easy Fruit Popsicles that are so simple and versatile, you'll want to try different ingredients every time you make them!
But man (and woman) cannot live on popsicles alone – although sometimes we'd like to. This summer, freshen up your regular barbecue fare with Recipe4Living's 5 Healthy Summer Food Groups.
1. SaladsSummer salads don't have to be loaded with mayonnaise or whipped topping! These tasty salads are packed with veggies and substitute flavorful herbs and spices for creamy dressings.Too Lite Tuna Salad Summer Slaw SaladAsparagus Picnic SaladFresh Cucumber and Tomato SaladSummery Black Bean Salad
2. GrillIt wouldn't be summer without some good barbecues, but they don't have to all include quarter-pound hamburgers. You can get that same char-grilled flavor from these grilled recipes like veggies, fish and even fruit!Best Ever Corn on the CobLow-Fat Grilled TunaGrilled PineappleGrilled Chicken Caesar SaladActually Delicious Turkey Burgers
3. Refreshing Drinks and Smoothies When you're had your required eight glasses of water for the day and you're looking for a drink with a little more pep, try some thirst-quenching teas and smoothies. Use fresh, seasonal fruits to create smoothies with your favorite flavors.
Fruity Iced TeaBreakfast Fruit SmoothieFat-Free Strawberry-Yogurt SmoothieFat Free Iced Apple TeaSpinach Mango Smoothie
4. Fruits Whether you add them to your morning cereal, bake them into muffins are just toss 'em in a salad, make sure you get all the summer fruits that you can get! We love these recipes for their unconventional uses of some of the most common summer fruits.
No-Fat Strawberry SoupPeach & Berry SaladBlueberry Oat MuffinsStrawberry Salsa Watermelon-Honeydew Kabobs with Dressing
5. Frozen Cooling off from the summertime heat doesn't have to mean a double scoop fudge sundae. You can make healthy choices and still get that summery brain freeze. Try these chilly treats that won't add inches to your waistline.
Frozen Banana Split SaladFrozen Cranberry SaladFrozen Fruit BarsPomegranate Blueberry & Peach SorbetFrozen Peach Yogurt Pie