Summertime can be filled with excitement and many healthy treats can help keep the fun going.
One of the more desired healthy treats in the summer can be as simple as a certain seed, or a handful of nuts, said Rachel Collins, specialty buyer at Mother Earth Foods, 1638 19th St., Parkersburg, West Virginia.
“(Mother Earth Foods) have Chia Squeezes that have Chia seed in them. A lot of people have been crazy about the Chia seed,” Collins said. “[Also] something like raw nuts or trail mix seems to be really popular.”
Trail mix also can be a healthy summer snack, Collins said. It provides energy and protein so the body is ready to go out and about for any summer activity. Not only can trail mix be healthy, it can be easy and fast to prepare.
With health and fitness a common goal for many, it’s no wonder why places such as Mother Earth Foods are becoming more popular through the years.
“I think once people start eating healthy, they start feeling better,” Collins said. “Then, they realize their risk for getting different diseases goes down, and that their health is so important.”
For stores such as General Nutrition Center, or GNC, it seems many people taking advantage of the quick health bars.
“You’re getting all of your nutrients in one bar,” said Roger Longwell, an associate at GNC. “Most people are on the go these days; they don’t really stop to think about what they’re eating. In a protein bar you get the vitamins you need, the nutrients you need and extra protein. We sell at least 24 protein bars a day.”
Not only is it wise to keep the body’s energy level and protein intake high in the summer, hydration is also a must to beat this summer's heat.
According to Francie Astrom, the nutritionist for Ohio University’s WellWorks located in E124 Grover Center, watermelon is one of the best foods to eat during summer.
“Watermelon has a really high water fluid content,” Astrom said. “It’s also a good fiber source and it’s a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.”
Watermelon, protein bars and trail mix all help maintain health during the summer fun, but there’s more to remaining healthy than just keeping cool and energized. A lot of health problems can come about, Astrom said.
“If you don’t stay hydrated you can have a variety of different issues,” Astrom said. “It will decrease your urine production which is hard on the kidneys. It can also lead to changes in your electrolyte balance which can cause a change in your heart rhythm.”
ag336912@ohiou.edu
@annachristine38
