Summer is the time for dusting off the BBQ, picking berries and wiping peach juice off your chin!

Long summer days and balmy summer nights. Hot days at the beach and refreshing swims in the ocean. With the hotter weather comes amazing summer fruit, berries ripe for the picking, creamy avocado's and fresh fish cooked on the BBQ. If you want to be inspired with healthy summer eating, then look no further!

Start every day with breakfast. 

Breakfast kick starts your metabolism and helps to prevent over-eating late in the day. No need for stodgy cooked breakfasts, try summer fruit with chia pudding, scrambled eggs with avocado or muesli and yoghurt, for delicious summer choices. Add some fresh berries for that something special.

Make the most of barbeques.

BBq's give an excellent smokey flavour to vegetarian burgers, steaks and chicken. Use marinades for flavour and oils with high smoking points, such as extra virgin olive oil. Just be careful not to char your meat too much.

Get creative

Sick of the BBQ? Try making home-made pita pizzas for dinner: use pita breads and top with your favourite pizza toppings. Make a potato salad. Try making your own salad dressings with avocado oil, garlic and balsamic vinegar.

Get into salads for lunch.

Salads don't need to be a boring lettuce, tomato combo. Add some protein and healthy fats to keep you fuller for longer, tinned chickpeas, haloumi cheese or a handful of walnuts. Add cut up fruit or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds for a different taste sensation. 

Keep hydrated. 

Summer is hot and on lazy days at the beach we will need extra water to keep ourselves hydrated. Have a drink bottle of water with you at all times. Add some lemon slices to your drink bottle for a citrusy zing.

Enjoy summer fruit.

Summer is the season of beautiful fruit. Make the most of berries, melons and stone fruits while they’re available. Fruit salads and platters are excellent for desserts and entertaining too!  

Celebrate seafood.

Fish and seafood are full of healthy fats that are great for our brain and heart. Season the fish/seafood of your choice, wrap in tinfoil and cook on a medium heat BBQ.

Watch the alcohol.

There's nothing like sharing a bottle of wine with friends or drinking an ice cold beer on a hot evening. If drinking alcohol, share it with friends and savour it for the taste. Try alternating each glass with a glass of water and add lots of ice, to help keep you hydrated. 

Get active outside. 

The days are longer and the temperature is warmer. But getting exercise doesn't have to be a chore, choose an activity that you enjoy and do it most days. Try walking instead of driving, swimming at the beach or playing some backyard cricket with the family.