Five Tips to Serve the Best Summer Ever

BPT

Summer is the perfect season for outdoor fun and a great time for families to focus on health and wellness. There are so many ways to enjoy activities that will get you and your family moving and grooving in the summer sun, as well as delicious and nutritious foods to fuel those outdoor adventures.

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner offers five tips to help you enjoy the sun while keeping your mind and body energized.

1. Try different types of movements

Healthy exercise doesn’t always have to look the same and it doesn’t have to be boring. You can have fun while maintaining your health, like playing pickleball, swimming laps to cool off, paddle boarding, or playing beach volleyball with friends. A trending sport like pickleball is especially fun this time of year because it’s easy to pick up and can be played by anyone, regardless of age or skill level. It’s a great way to get moving, meet new friends, and have a ton of fun!

2. Hydrate with coconut water

Water alone is great for hydration, but it’s not always enough on those super hot days. Try drinking coconut water with a pinch of sea salt to replace the electrolytes you lose through sweating in the heat. It’s low in calories and doesn’t contain any added sugar or artificial colors found in sports drinks. Plus, its naturally sweet taste is a great thirst quencher on a hot day.

3. Gain energy with foods rich in vitamin B12 early in the day

B12 helps support energy production and keeps you going during an active summer day. If you’re looking for foods rich in vitamin B12, try adding more dairy products such as yogurt and milk, eggs, and fish. B12 is naturally found in animal foods, but you can also get it from fortified foods such as some plant milks and cereals.

4. Eat snacks rich in magnesium in the evening

Magnesium is great for people with active lifestyles because it supports muscle health, but it can also help you sleep. The Sleep Foundation reports that magnesium helps with sleep duration and quality, which is important for recovery, especially for those who are more active during the day. When you’re winding down for the night, try a magnesium trail mix of almonds, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate.

5. Recover and refuel

After an active day, whether you’re playing pickleball or swimming laps in the pool, enjoy a recovery meal with quality carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Egg-based meals are a great choice, and it’s important to know that not all eggs are created equal. Eggland’s Best eggs have 25% less saturated fat, more than twice the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, and ten times the vitamin E compared to regular eggs, making them a great nutritious option to include in your meals, before or after the pickleball court.

Try this delicious scrambled egg recipe made with Eggland’s Best eggs that will get the job done after a day of summer fun! Bonus: it’s quick, easy, and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients needed for energy. For more information or more great recipes, visit: Eggland’s Best.

Scrambled eggs with oatmeal
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield/total number of servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggland’s Best eggs, large
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1.5 cups 2% Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh berries

Instructions:

1. Mash the banana in a bowl, beat in the Eggland’s Best eggs and stir in the oats and cinnamon.
2. Place olive oil in a frying pan and heat over medium heat.
3. Place the mixture in the pan, spread it out like a pancake and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Break the oatmeal mixture into pieces and stir it together, just as you would with eggs, until all the pieces are golden brown.
5. Serve with Greek yogurt and garnish with berries.

Additional notes:
Eat immediately or store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Allergy information: vegetarian, no added sugars, whole wheat (gluten free if made with gluten free oats)