Editor’s Note: Eat Up, But Avoid the Pitfalls

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Last month I extolled the culinary virtues of summer, especially the evocative powers of the barbecue. However, I have to admit to some trepidation about the dietary pitfalls summer can sometimes put in your path.

Yes, most of us tend to be more active this time of year, but if we’re not careful, all of that hard work can be undone by the ubiquitous lure of the grill, cold and refreshing desserts, and a nice brewski or two. But that doesn’t mean you can’t remain beach-ready while still enjoying the tasty delights of a warm, sunny day.

In our new “Try It Tuesday” series over on the FACTS Network, several of us at the IFIC Foundation—health professionals and civilians alike (me)—have been following a variety of different diets, some faddish and others more well-established, and talking about our experiences.

I’m happy to report that I’m doing quite well at my goal of “losing a few” (I do indeed have a few to lose) and I’ll be sharing my story next month. Along the way, I’m putting into practice some healthy tips I’m getting from my colleagues and expanding my food horizons at the same time.

Most of us including me (57 percent, according to the 2016 Food and Health Survey, up from 52 percent in 2015) are trying to lose weight, some of us (23 percent in 2016, down from 29 percent in 2015) are trying to maintain our weight, a small fraction (3 percent) are trying to lose weight, and the rest of us (17 percent) aren’t doing anything about our weight.

Regardless of which category you fall into—but especially that last one—all of us can find a healthy eating style that works for us as individuals.