Memorial Day weekend often kicks off the cookout season along with the challenge of staying healthy during the summer. 

Between fairs, baseball games and cookouts, many unhealthy options tend to be on the menu. 

Katie Buchs is the Nutrition and Health Education Specialist at the University of Missouri Extension in Buchanan County. She said the key to staying healthy during this season of hot dogs, nachos and ice cream is moderation. 

“If (eating unhealthy food) becomes a regular thing that occurs, then that’s when you have those negative effects which could be loss of energy, weight gain or even then leading to chronic diseases,” Buchs said.

Buchs said she suggests, whenever you’re attending a summer food event, to search out or bring a healthier option. 

“For example, if you go to a friend’s house, maybe offer to bring a salad or fruit to the event so that way you know that you do have that healthier option,” Buchs said. “Something else to think about is, with the summer, farmer’s markets are getting underway, so that’s a great way to be able to include fruits and vegetables into your diet, but also (they’re) cheaper because they are in season.” 

Buchs said farmer’s markets also are a great opportunity to get kids involved with healthy eating. 

“You can let them maybe pick a fruit or vegetable they’d want to try and they can help find the recipe and maybe even include them in the cooking process,” Buchs said. “Which, then, they’re more likely to actually enjoy the fruit and vegetable.” 

Buchs said the University of Missouri Extension created a smartphone app called, “Seasonal and Simple.” 

“It lists what fruits and vegetables are currently in season, it has recipes for each fruit and vegetable, it can find farmer’s markets near you,” Buchs said. “On the iPhone option, it (has) food preservation tips such as canning, dehydrating and such.” 

For more information on anything nutrition, agriculture, 4-H or community development related, contact the University of Missouri Extension’s Buchanan County Office at (816) 279-1691 or go to their website.