August is National Wellness Month and as a Registered Dietitian I wanted to share some of my favorite easy tips for staying healthy and energized during the summer!
Eat seasonal fruits and veggies
My favorite place to buy produce is the local farmers market. The fruits and veggies not only taste incredible, but they are super fresh and because they often travel a shorter distance, better for the environment, too. In the summer, here are some of the nutrient dense produce that’s in season and at the peak of freshness:
Berries
Cherries
Summer Squashes
Corn
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons
Stone Fruits
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Okra
Grapes
2. Support your system with whole food-based supplements
Taking supplements from Standard Process can be a great way to fill in nutritional gaps. Congaplex can be used to help support healthy immune function and is an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin A. This whole-food based supplement also contains ribonucleic acid which the body uses for protein synthesis.
Magnesium is a nutrient that is often overlooked as a staggering 50% of Americans don’t meet the recommended intake (1). E-Z Mg from Standard Process contains multiple forms of magnesium to take the guesswork out of which magnesium to take. The organic Swiss chard and organic buckwheat are good sources of magnesium which is essential for central nervous system health. Here’s where you can find these awesome products!
3. Stay hydrated
In the summer heat it is essential to stay hydrated. In general, try to drink at least 8 cups of water a day. If you’re taking part in endurance activities (like running long distances) or doing a workout where you’re sweating profusely, it’s also recommended to drink 16 ounces of water per pound loss during physical activity. If participating in exercise outside in the sun it is important to replace that lost water and electrolytes. This can be done through drinking electrolyte beverages, coconut water, or my personal favorite - eating watermelon!
Let me know which tip you found most helpful in the comments below!
1Moshfegh, A. G., Joseph; Ahuja, Jaspreet; Rhodes, Donna; LaCombe, Randy, Agriculture Research Service 2009.
*“*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.”**