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Healthier Habits for the Summer

July 31, 2015 By Lena

It’s summer. Hallelujah!

And just in case you hadn’t noticed (how’s the weather under that rock?), people are vacationing, dining out, drinking on patios and festival-hopping in full force. Honestly! Some days I need to stay off Instagram, where I’m constantly reminded of friends’ summertime travels and exploits.
10865108_422184224655700_1749091094_nThe above photo is courtesy of my blogging bestie Stephanie Holmes, who’s currently in Turks and Caicos. I know, right? You can say it. I was totally thinking it too.

However, I’m not mad at her, because we’re off to Niagara Falls for the long weekend! There, we’ll get wet at the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, enjoy a special meal in the revolving dining room at Skylon Tower, and even take in a little cross-border shopping action (I miss Target!). 

Of course, I’m fairly certain we’ll also be indulging – for me, summer is a time to eat, drink and pray the swimsuit has a little more stretch. And who can deny themselves sangria on a patio, calamari by the beach or beaver tails in an amusement park? They’re simply a must-do! But what happens when you consume all these rich, decadent food and drink concoctions? Often, it spells tummy trouble, in the form of bloating, uneasiness or constipation. Here are some tried and true ways to keep your digestive health at its best during the warmer summer months:

1. Dinner with friends is fabulous, but make sure you are choosing a high-fibre diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole-grain cereals and breads, aiming to consume 20 to 30 grams of fibre daily. Try to have at least one meal at home every day.

2. Treat yo’self! In moderation, of course. Limit low-fibre foods, such as ice cream, cheese and processed foods, and foods that are high in fat and sugar. Remember that treats should be “occasional” and not a staple part of your diet, regardless of the season (or temptation).

3. Stay hydrated! Especially in the warm summer months; dehydration can creep up on you before you know it and play havoc on your body. Drink plenty of liquids and try to limit your caffeine intake. Summer is a great time to swap coffee for herbal teas!

4. Exercise regularly to help stimulate intestinal function, aiming for 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. During summer months, try to limit your intense outdoor activities to early morning or evening when humidity is low.

5. Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement, which can lead to constipation. If you are constipated, it’s a good idea to make dietary and lifestyle changes. For further symptom relief, you can try gentler non-stimulative laxatives or consider using stimulant laxatives sparingly, in the short-term. Visit www.dulcolax.ca for more information about bowel health and treatment options.

Here’s wishing you a summer filled with good food and good fun!

Tell Me: What will you indulge in this summer?

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: digestive health, Dulcolax, healthy living, summer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Cowan

    August 2, 2015 at 10:54 am

    All Great Tips! Have fun on your trip to Niagara Falls!

  2. mrdisco

    August 2, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    huge tip: cut down on carbs as much as possible, including pop and juice. it’s just liquid calories that really screws up your system.

  3. Jackie M

    August 2, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    My bridal party treated me to a nice spa getaway – relaxing and loved the food!

  4. Marissa

    August 3, 2015 at 7:36 am

    Thanks for the helpful tips.Hope you had a great time with your family at the Niagara Falls this weekend.Looking forward to some nice pictures.

  5. Soozle

    August 4, 2015 at 9:56 am

    Summer certainly is hard for me to eat as clean as I can.. There are always BBQs with drinks and camping where it’s easy to grab quick meals that aren’t as healthy as can be… Its important though to indulge a little to avoid a huge over indulgance!

  6. Jared S Denison

    August 4, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    It’s hard to eat clean with all of the summer parties you end up attending.

  7. mrdisco

    August 5, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    drink lots of water!

  8. Betty S

    August 7, 2015 at 7:03 am

    hope you had a great weekend in the Falls, many great things to see, that don’t cost a thing.

  9. Melinda L.

    August 20, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Good tips. I’m gonna indulge in some delicious wine and occasional fancy home cooked meal

  10. Stephanie LaPlante

    August 23, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    & now it’s over unfortunately. Where did the summer go?

  11. Victoria Ess

    September 26, 2015 at 8:56 am

    I definitely indulge in the summer as it is a time for dinners with friends, drinks on the patio, camping, and weekend getaways. Good tips!

  12. kathy downey

    November 14, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Thanks for the helpful tips.Im sure you had a great time at Niagara Falls I hope to visit there someday

  13. Susan T.

    July 27, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    My summer indulgence is definitely alcohol. I don’t drink a lot but I do like a frosty beverage while out in the sun!

  14. Debbie Bashford

    September 18, 2016 at 6:34 am

    Totally do more dinner with friends during the summer

  15. Debbie White Beattie

    December 21, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    You’ve got great tips here and I you had a great time but since it’s December 21 and it’s freezing out all I can do is wish it was summer

  16. kathy downey

    October 9, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Great tips,this was my best summer we got to spend a month meeting out grandson for the first time….family are priceless!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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