Patch Picks: Five Healthy Eating Habits

It’s summertime and for many of us, that means the beach, a tan... and swimsuit season.

Sure, you’ve been talking about dieting and renewing that gym membership -- you've even promised yourself that you'd start skipping dessert.

None of that sounds fun, and who truly has the willpower?

That's why we’ve compiled a list of healthy eating habits you can do that aren’t quite so hard -- a list that will keep you a little healthier, a little trimmer and feeling a whole lot better.

This week’s health-conscious Patch Picks are brought to you with the aid of , a certified nutritional consultant and owner of .

1. Drink Purified Water: “Stay hydrated and flush out the toxins,” Sabatine says. Drinking a lot of water helps the body get rid of excess sodium and metabolizes fat deposits. Tap water often has fluorine and trace amounts of chlorine, according to Sabatine, so try to drink purified H₂O whenever possible, and be sure to get your eight glasses a day.

2. Eat Fresh and Local: Now is a great time to head to your local farmers market for fresh produce. Throughout the coming months, a variety of different fruits and veggies will be available, so make sure to stop by the farm stands for the freshest choices. Fresh and local produce is an excellent -- and tasty -- way for your body to get the daily vitamins it needs.

3. Do Not Skip Meals: According to Sabatine, skipping meals only makes you hungrier and crankier as your next mealtime slowly approaches, and skipping a meal doesn't save you from calories. Your hungry body will break down proteins and lean tissue in an attempt to save fat stores. Oh, and don’t skip breakfast! Your body uses most of its calories during the day, so skipping breakfast can make you lethargic and listless.

4. Eat Smaller Portions: “Never super-size,” according to Sabatine. Instead of skipping meals, eat in moderation. Experts suggest eating a balanced breakfast, a larger lunch and a smaller dinner. As we stated above, your daily routine utilizes most of your calories, so your biggest caloric intake should not be in the evening.

5. Sit to Eat: “Don’t rush or eat on the run... you’re just asking for indigestion and ulcers,” Sabatine said. Sitting while you eat encourages you to eat slower, which decreases the chances of indigestion. In addition, most foods you might grab while you're on the go can be pretty unhealthy. Sitting and eating as a family can inspire some people to cook a better meal, rather than quickly whipping something up.

It’s also a good idea to take a walk after dinner. Walking helps move the food around in your stomach and ease digestion -- you'll also burn off some of those evening calories.