Guest Author - Lori Phillips
When temperature peak, appetites wane…or so I’m told. I’m one of those unfortunate people who can eat in any type of weather. But my family can’t. When they need nourishment without a full meal, I encourage them to drink their meals. Fruit smoothies, with or without added protein or supplementation, provide plenty of icy refreshment along with vitamins and carbohydrates. Vegetable juices, spiked with seasonings, are like a salad in a glass.
There’s nothing wrong with drinking a meal. Beer and alcoholic drinks--no matter how many “grains” they contain--don’t count because they actually dehydrate the body. When my husband’s jaws were wired after an injury, he learned to blend and liquefy entrees like lasagna. He said it sounds worse than it tasted, and he really got sick of drinking milk shakes.
Even if you don’t suffer serious injury, you can simplify your life during the summer with cold, drinkable meals. If you don’t want to blend your own, pick up some meal replacement drinks at your local grocery store. Not only will you get proper nutrition, but you can drop some weight at the same time.
Drinkable Meal Ideas
1. Low-calorie meal replacements, such as Slim Fast.
2. Full nutrition meal supplements, including Ensure.
3. Soymilk. Flavored or unflavored soy milk is high in protein.
4. Fruit smoothies. Blend fresh or frozen fruit with ice. Add yogurt or protein powder to pump up the protein content.
5. Chilled vegetable drinks. V-8 is a good store-bought choice but you can blend or juice your own combination of vegetables. Season with herbs and spices; pour over ice or chill before serving.
6. Chilled chai tea or iced coffee. By the time you add half-and-half and some sugar, you’ve got enough calories for a mini-meal. True, it’s not the best source of nutrition, but when you don’t feel like eating, it will keep up your blood sugar level until you do.
7. Spiked seltzer water on ice. A very simple way to spike plain seltzer water is with a spoonful of natural fruit preserves. No washing, peeling, pitting or mashing fresh fruit required. Preserves and jams work best. Jellies will not dissolve well. Add some mint and plenty of ice.
8. Lemonade. Provides some vitamin C and simple carbs for energy to make it to your next meal.
9. Milk shakes. It IS made with milk. Yes, it has a lot of calories and that’s what makes it a meal versus a snack. If you make your own, mix in some nutrition supplements such as Carnation Instant Breakfast for vitamins and minerals.
