Summer is in full swing. The days are longer, the kids are out of school, and there’s always lots of activity. With so much going on, it can be easy to neglect healthy eating. However, it’s important to keep those healthy habits year round. Unfortunately, heart disease and diabetes are some of the leading causes of death in the United States and much of that can stem from poor eating habits. Here are four ways to help you keep healthy eating habits during the summer months.

Enjoy the growing season

One of the best parts of summer is all of the local fruits and vegetables. Farmers markets have become increasingly popular in recent years and offer a way to get food from your local area in your local area. Additionally, many grocery stores have started to stock hyper-local produce and vegetables. Take advantage of these easy and convenient ways to incorporate healthy foods into your meals. With the easy availability, it makes for easy additions to meals.

Don’t overdo it at cookouts

With the long summer days and warm weather usually means parties, get togethers, and cookouts. But, so often those events don’t have the healthiest of food options. That doesn’t mean you can’t even indulge, but try to be mindful. Hot dogs, chips, pie, and similar foods are of course yummy, so enjoy but don’t overdo it.

Watch your calories when trying to beat the heat

Similar to being mindful at a party, it’s important to keep yourself in check when it comes to desserts. When it’s so hot out, an easy and delicious way to cool down is with a frozen sweet treat. Ice cream cones, slushies, milkshakes, etc. should be treated as treats. They shouldn’t become a staple of your summertime diet, no matter how hot it gets.

Stay hydrated

With the heat, it can be easy to become dehydrated quickly, sometimes without even noticing. Signs of dehydration include dizziness, lightheadedness, dark urine or not feeling like you have to urinate, cramps, and fatigue. Dehydration can be especially prevalent with summer exercise. If you’re feeling any of these, grab some water. Water will be the best and quickest option.

Summertime usually means lots of fun but with that can mean ignoring healthy eating. That doesn’t mean that you can’t indulge yourself every so often, but try to keep it in check. Use these tips as reminders of how to stay healthy during these summer months.