Summer is a time for sunshine, travel, and delicious food, but for many, it also brings a wave of guilt, restriction, or “starting over Monday” thinking. In this episode of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley is breaking down how to enjoy everything summer has to offer without falling into common mindset traps.
Shelley addresses how “vacation mode” can lead to the all-or-nothing cycle and how to break free from it while still enjoying yourself. She shares practical strategies for navigating potlucks, BBQs, road trips, and buffets, so you can make food choices that feel good during and after the event.
You’ll also hear how to pack balanced snacks and meals for travel, how to think about alcohol in the heat, and what “balanced eating” actually looks like on vacation. Additionally, get some tips on seasonal movement, as activities like walking on the beach or playing outside with your family also count.
Most importantly, this episode is a reminder: Summer isn’t a test, it’s part of life. Let’s ditch perfection and focus on nourishment, flexibility, and fun.
Blogs and Podcast Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:
Read More: Stop Judging Food Choices: Why It’s Time to Ditch the Food Shame 5/10/2025
Listen: Real World Nutrition Episode 188 Food Freedom: What "Eat What You Want Day" Really Means Ep 188 5/9/2025
Read More: Navigating Cookouts: Building a Balanced Plate at BBQs 5/22/2025
Read More: Traveling Light: Health Snacks and Eating Habits on the Go 11/21/2023
Read More: Thriving on the Go: Your Ultimate Guide to Staying Healthy While Traveling 12/7/2023
Read More: Get Summer-Ready: Nutrition Tips for Outdoor Adventures 5/1/2025
Read More: Mindful Drinking: Enjoying Alcohol Without the All-or-Nothing Mentality 4/10/2025
Listen: Real World Nutrition Episode 189 Sipping Smarter: Mindful Drinking for Summer Parties 5/16/2025
Listen: Real World Nutrition Episode 182 Mindful Eating in a Fast-Paced World 3/28/2025
Schedule a free 30-minute introductory call today to learn how I can help you reach your health and wellness goals.
Enroll in the Mini Course: 6 Tips for the Busy Person to Have Sustainable Energy: All-Day Energy Through Food AND Companion Workbook
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!