It’s not hard to recognize that summer has arrived in full force! As the weather starts to heat up even more as summer officially descends upon the valley, many people choose to “lighten up” their eating habits. Whether that means firing up the grill in lieu of heating up the house by turning on the stove or the oven or choosing meals that are chock full of fresh, seasonal produce, there are many ways to accomplish lighter eating throughout the summer. Koibito Poke offers some tips for eating light during warm weather seasons.
While winter weather is synonymous with soups and stews, warm weather lends itself to “light” meals like salads, cold pastas, easy sandwiches and grilled foods. Pot roasts and heavy meats are great for winter, but fresh seafood and grilled chicken are ideal for spring and summer seasons. And with a little prep work (chopping veggies and fresh fruit for snacking or tossing into a salad, for example), eating light can be easy too!
When trying to “lighten up” during the summer, hitting up a farmers’ market is a great way to source seasonal produce and also support local farms and businesses in the community. There are so many delicious in-season fruits and veggies available during the summer months. Cucumbers, green beans, garlic, zucchini, avocados, bell peppers, beets, carrots, celery, blackberries, cantaloupe and honeydew melon, corn, cherries, mangoes, strawberries, plums, peaches, tomatoes and so many more are all deliciously in season during the summer months and can add a burst of fresh flavors to any meal.
Making a goal to add more vegetables to each meal is another easy way to lighten up any plate from morning ‘til night. Swap out an extra piece of toast for a half of a grapefruit at breakfast time, or add a side salad at lunch instead of French fries. Easy swaps can be made to lighten up a meal while still enjoying favorite dishes.
When dining out, plan ahead! It’s easy to manage a meal when eating at home, but dining out can create some challenges when trying to eat light. So it’s important to plan ahead and choose not only a restaurant that offers an array of healthy choices, but also one that allows diners to customize their meal. Why that’s exactly what Koibito Poke aims to do! Guests can customize their bowls from start to finish with a wide selection of choices from the “base” (white or brown rice or spring mix) and protein (tuna, salmon, shrimp, grilled chicken and tofu to name a few) to toppings and garnish galore. Dining at Koibito Poke gives diners complete control to include exactly what they want (and don’t want) in their bowl. Guests can also load up on a wide selection of vegetable toppings that add flavor and variety to each bowl.
For those that want to lighten up this season, loading up on more fresh produce and planning ahead are two ways to easily (and deliciously) accomplish that goal. For those that prefer to let someone else to the prep work, head into Koibito Poke for a completely customized bowl, or arrange for drop off right to one’s doorstep through a variety of delivery partners.