SUMMERTIME, The best season to get back in shape

How to distribute your meals throughout the day and stay healthy

THE KING-PRINCE-PAUPER ROLE

In Italy we say “colazione da re, pranzo da principe, cena da povero”. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Several studies confirm this popular belief: the best way to lose weight is consuming a good breakfast, have lunch in the mid-day (1 or 2pm), and a simple dinner in the early evening (no more food after 8pm).

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

It is like a mantra! Stay hydrated, drink water! Your goal? 8x8! Eight glasses (8-ounce) of water every day. Did you know that 60% of our body is made by water? Also, another good reason is that allowing water to be a substitute for your soda is a fantastic way to help lose weight. Is plain water too boring for you? Try infused water with a delicious fruit twist! Find your perfect combination, here are some ideas. Just remember to slice your fruit, add herbs, pour it in a pitcher, add cool water and let it infuse for 3 or 4 hours in the refrigerator. The easiest choice is of course water with a slice of lemon, but you could try: Apple, Lemon, Carrot; Strawberry, Pineapple; Lemon, Mint, Ginger, Cucumber; Strawberry, Lemon, Mint; Cucumber, Lemon, Celery; Strawberry, Basil and Lemon. Our favorite? Orange and basil infused water…So Italian!

VERDURE, VERDURE, AND MORE VERDURE!

Veggies are always the right answer if you ask how to lose weight and be healthy. So, salads are your best allies!  Vegetables can also be really delicious. The Italian summer basket is packed with: cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, zucchini blossom. A secret? Eat them raw, sautéed or grilled…just remember to sprinkle some precious drops of extra virgin olive oil. The best Italian olive oil? Of course our Redoro’s selection!

EAT WATERMELON

We call it “anguria” or “melone rosso” if you are in the south of Italy. This fruit is a summer must. Italians love it and eat it with every single meal! And the good news is that it is also excellent for your diet. It has 90% water and is miraculously low in calories.