As the summer creeps up on us, so does a pressure that we’ve long forgotten over the cold winter months. No longer can we hide behind our baggy jumpers and thick coats as we shovel down courtyard chips and mayo. All around campus, as the sun begins to shine, the shorts also begin to make an appearance, as well as the dreaded crop tops. Although it may be so tempting to dig into those burgers at the barbecues that have also been springing up, we know all so well that we may regret it. However, you do not need to panic! Here I will offer you some great, less naughty alternatives to classic summertime food and drink.
Barbecues are rife in the summer but big beefburgers are not ideal for a bikini body. Don’t want to give up a cheeky summer burger? Try having Quorn instead of real meat. Quorn is low in fat and contains fewer calories than real meat. A 50g Quorn burger has 70 calories in comparison to a 41g Birdseye beef burger which contains 120. Although less flavoursome, quorn can be very tasty if a sauce or spice is added.
Don’t want to give up meat? A simple solution is to switch to turkey mince. In comparison to beef mince, this healthier alternative is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. Turkey mince is especially tasty in a lasagne.
Everyone likes a good sit in the beer garden when the sun is out, but alcoholic drinks are often loaded with calories. Alcopops are well known for their excessive calories, which contribute to the sweet taste. Spirits such as vodka are low in calories, but beware, vodka is often consumed with pop which is definitely calorie-high, so opt for a tonic water or diet coke mixer. 200ml of VK cherry contain 130 calories in comparison to the same serving size of Vodka and Diet coke which contains 64.
You could also shake things up with a jug of sangria. Sangria is a delicious and more exciting beverage for those lazy summer days outside and the 150 calories, which make up a glass, are beneficial. Sangria is full of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids and antioxidants. You also feel full after drinking a sangria which can only be a good thing!
Ice lollies are another sneaky food that you probably never think contributes to a significant calorie intake. On the contrary, the ever popular Magnums contain 275, and Cornettos have about 220. Give these up for Rowntrees fruit pastille lollies containing 58 calories each or Twisters which contain 76.
And what would be summer without a good ice cream? Yes, I know Ben and Jerry’s are amazing but they take a serious chunk out of your daily recommended intake. Thankfully Ben and Jerry’s have released low-fat yoghurt versions of our favourite frozen treats. They taste just as good but are less naughty. Take my favourite flavour, Chocolate Fudge Brownie. The frozen yoghurt version has a quarter less calories and only 20 percent of the fat that the original has. Two scoops please!
For other great classics, like fish and chips, instead of going to a local takeaway, you can often find a healthier alternative at the supermarkets. You really don’t need to punish yourself by eliminating the foods that make summer special.