{"id":6102,"date":"2026-09-13T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/beat-summers-food-traps-simple-swaps-for-a-healthier-season\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T20:30:00","slug":"beat-summers-food-traps-simple-swaps-for-a-healthier-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=6102","title":{"rendered":"Beat summer\u2019s food traps: Simple swaps for a healthier season"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:64px;--awb-padding-top-medium:32px;--awb-padding-top-small:18px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap\">\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1456px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<article class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:1rem;--awb-padding-right:1rem;--awb-padding-bottom:1rem;--awb-padding-left:1rem;--awb-padding-right-medium:4%;--awb-padding-left-medium:4%;--awb-padding-right-small:4%;--awb-padding-left-small:4%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:56%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.4285714285714%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.4285714285714%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:1;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:1;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-1 prose\" style=\"--awb-font-size:1.125rem;--awb-line-height:1.5;--awb-text-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-text-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-text-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Healthy meals to enjoy under the beautiful, summer sun<\/h2>\n<p>Summer brings cookouts, vacations, festivals and time with family and friends. While favorites like burgers, hot dogs and ice cream are part of the season, they don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t have to crowd out nutritious meals. Small steps like incorporating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/HealthyCookingatHome_March2021.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">healthy dinners<\/a> throughout the season can boost your energy levels and help you take on all your summer activities.<\/p>\n<p>Find out what gets in your way of making healthy eating choices during the summer, then use these tips to make healthy meals part of your summertime routine. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identify what\u00e2\u0080\u0099s getting in your way<\/h2>\n<p>Everyone faces different challenges to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/?s=healthy+eating\">healthy eating<\/a> during the summer. Recognizing yours is the first step to finding practical solutions.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Travel: It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s tough to eat well on the road. Gas station snacks and fast food seem to be the only convenient options. \u00c2\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Meal fatigue: Get out of the rut of plain chicken breast, brown rice, and steamed greens. Nutritious meals don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t have to be bland, boring or joyless.<\/li>\n<li>Party and festival food: Eating can easily go overboard in a festival food environment. The state fair brings items like deep-fried butter while cookouts offer mayo-heavy salads and sugar-sweetened alcoholic beverages.<\/li>\n<li>Unplanned grocery shopping: Shopping without a plan often leads to buying more treats, like ice cream, and fewer fruits and veggies. As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes first \u00e2\u0080\u0094 and veggies don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t compete well with the vibrant designs of chip bags and pizza boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setting yourself up for success<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Road trip health hacks: Planning ahead can help you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov\/Search\/3,85031\" rel=\"noopener\">eat healthily while traveling<\/a>.<strong> <\/strong>Pack shelf-stable snacks for the car. Before hitting the road, prep these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/Recipes\/Snacks\/No-BakeEnergyBallsNOV2022.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">no bake energy balls<\/a> to help you avoid grabbing a candy bar at the gas station. Choose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/TipsForDiningOutNov2020.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">healthier options<\/a> when stopping for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov\/Search\/3,85027\" rel=\"noopener\">fast food<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Add variety and flavors to dinner: Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/WeeklyMealPlannerGroceryListAndRecipesNov2024.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">weekly dinner planner<\/a> to avoid repeated meals and check out these delicious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/2022CookingAroundtheWorldCookbook.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">recipes from around the world.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Grab fresh foods for your party plate: Fill half of your plate with veggies and fruit. Bring this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/Recipes\/PartiesHolidays\/docs\/Cucumber-Herb-TzatzikiOCT2021.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">refreshing cucumber dip<\/a> with pita chips and your favorite veggies for dipping. Enjoy a cooling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yx5DC91GP74&amp;list=PL3AQ_JVoBEywA0DxUr5WalEVr6iGcnjYf&amp;index=5\" rel=\"noopener\">electrolyte coconut beverage<\/a> or these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/WhyTryFlavorInfusedWaterJun2025.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">infused waters<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Plan Your Groceries: Nutritious meals start with healthy ingredients and a good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/GroceryStoreChecklistAug2025.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">grocery list.<\/a> In addition to your healthy staples, remember to keep things balanced by including some of your tasty treats as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Discover nutritious cooking videos and more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.va.gov\/NUTRITION\/docs\/UpdatedPatientEd\/HTKToolsAndResources2026.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Healthy Teaching Kitchen Tools and Resources<\/a> page. For additional meal planning tips, connect with a VA dietitian. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;width:100%\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;width:100%\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:64px;--awb-padding-bottom:32px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-margin-bottom:.5rem;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:1.3rem\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\">Topics in this story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-paragraph post-tags\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:1rem\">\n<p class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center title-heading-tag\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/tag\/health\/\" title=\"Health\">Health<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/tag\/healthy-eating\/\" title=\"Healthy eating\">Healthy eating<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/tag\/summer\/\" title=\"summer\">summer<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap\">\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1456px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_4_5 4_5 fusion-flex-column\" 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style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:1.6rem\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em\"><i class=\"fa-sharp fa-regular fa-comments fa-fw icon-left\"><\/i>Leave a comment<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:1rem;--awb-padding-right:1rem;--awb-padding-bottom:1rem;--awb-padding-left:1rem;--awb-bg-color:var(--blue-5v);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--blue-5v);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\" style=\"--awb-font-size:1rem\">\n<p>The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ask.va.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Ask VA<\/a> or call 1-800-698-2411. 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9;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing)\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149320\/navy-nurses-train-va-better-serve-veterans\/\" target=\"_self\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-7 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:2rem;--awb-padding-right:2rem;--awb-padding-bottom:3px;--awb-padding-left:2rem;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:1em;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-font-size:clamp(1.2rem, 0.429vw + 1.114rem, 1.5rem)\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left awb-responsive-type__disable\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149320\/navy-nurses-train-va-better-serve-veterans\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Walking a mile: Navy nurses train with VA to better serve Veterans<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\" style=\"--awb-font-size:clamp(1rem, 0.286vw + 0.943rem, 1.1rem);--awb-text-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-text-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-text-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style)\">\n<p>Navy nurses train at SLVHCS to advance their clinical skills, support Veteran care and gain hands-on experience through the Clinical Nurse Specialist program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion-flex-column fader-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color1);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-border-top:1px;--awb-border-right:1px;--awb-border-bottom:1px;--awb-border-left:1px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:;--awb-flex-grow-small:;--awb-flex-shrink-small:\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-8 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color2);--awb-border-bottom:1px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-image-element\" style=\"--awb-aspect-ratio:16 \/ 9;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing)\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149314\/serve-veterans-9-11-lasting-impact-volunteering\/\" target=\"_self\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-9 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:2rem;--awb-padding-right:2rem;--awb-padding-bottom:3px;--awb-padding-left:2rem;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-9 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:1em;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-font-size:clamp(1.2rem, 0.429vw + 1.114rem, 1.5rem)\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left awb-responsive-type__disable\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149314\/serve-veterans-9-11-lasting-impact-volunteering\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Serve Veterans on 9\/11: Make a lasting impact by volunteering at VA<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\" style=\"--awb-font-size:clamp(1rem, 0.286vw + 0.943rem, 1.1rem);--awb-text-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-text-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-text-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style)\">\n<p>Honor 9\/11 by volunteering at VA and support Veterans through meaningful VA service opportunities that strengthen communities and inspire lasting impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion-flex-column fader-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color1);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-border-top:1px;--awb-border-right:1px;--awb-border-bottom:1px;--awb-border-left:1px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:;--awb-flex-grow-small:;--awb-flex-shrink-small:\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-10 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color2);--awb-border-bottom:1px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-image-element\" style=\"--awb-aspect-ratio:16 \/ 9;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing)\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149309\/telephysical-therapy-convenient-care-home\/\" target=\"_self\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-11 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:2rem;--awb-padding-right:2rem;--awb-padding-bottom:3px;--awb-padding-left:2rem;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-10 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:1em;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-font-size:clamp(1.2rem, 0.429vw + 1.114rem, 1.5rem)\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left awb-responsive-type__disable\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149309\/telephysical-therapy-convenient-care-home\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">TelePhysical Therapy brings convenient care to this Veteran\u00e2\u0080\u0099s home<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\" style=\"--awb-font-size:clamp(1rem, 0.286vw + 0.943rem, 1.1rem);--awb-text-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-text-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-text-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style)\">\n<p>Navy Veteran Joan Utley uses VA TelePhysical Therapy to save travel time and make it more convenient to access pelvic floor care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<p class=\"tni-attribution\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/149331\/beat-summers-food-traps-swaps-healthier-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">VA News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, you can master the delicate balance of summer treats and healthy dinners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care","category-whole-health-wellness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Beat summer\u2019s food traps: Simple swaps for a healthier season - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yes, you can master the delicate balance of summer treats and healthy dinners.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=6102\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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