6 healthy fridge staples to keep your summer diet on track

Clean up your fridge to keep your summer diet on track! Credit: sxc.hu/dean, dean

 If you're trying to lose a few pounds before hitting the beach or just want to get in shape for a summer wedding, it may be time to ditch some of your much-loved snacks and meals in favor of "lighter" meals and snacks. Cleaning out your fridge will be the first step to getting your diet on track. I like to do a fridge cleanup at least once per season to make sure I'm not falling into bad habits that could be sabotaging my diet. Ready for a diet makeover before bikini season hits its peak? Here are six healthy fridge staples to stock up on:
#1: Natural Peanut Butter
Peanut butter in the fridge? Yes, but only when you buy the all-natural variety. You'll notice that this type of peanut butter tends to have a few inches of liquid sitting on top, and is usually creamier than peanut butter that contains sugar, extra salt and other ingredients. Nancy Clark, MS, RD tells Beginner Triathlete that even though peanut butter is a calorie-dense food, it is satiating and satisfying, and "perfect for dieters".
#2: Mixed Greens
Learn to love '‹Å"em and these greens will help you stay satisfied while adding some fiber to your daily menu. Mixed greens eaten raw ensure you get all the nutrients and health benefits per serving, but you can also try steaming them with some seasoning if you need some variety. Add mixed greens to your salad, or better yet, use mixed greens as a base for your lunch or dinner salad.
#3: Fresh Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an antioxidant-rich food that are high in vitamins A and C, and are also a good source of lycopene. Fresh tomatoes are perfect for salads and sandwiches this summer. Eat fresh tomatoes with the skin for a boost of fiber.
#4: Lowfat Yogurt
Registered Dietitian Cheryl Orlansky of the Computer Science Corporation tells WebMD that yogurt is a diet-friendly food because it is low in calories and can also fulfill your calcium requirements. She points out that yogurt contains about 30% of your recommended daily value in calcium, and the high protein content could help you say goodbye to hunger pangs when dieting this summer.
#5: Hummus
Need a break from granola bars, celery sticks and wafers for your next snack attack? Enjoy a tablespoon of hummus with your favorite veg-of-choice and you'll be digging into a satisfying, high-protein snack. Look for the "original" hummus varieties made only with hummus and seasonings. Some of the flavored versions contain extra fats and oils your diet -- and calorie quota for the day -- may not need.
#6: Egg Whites
At only 25 calories per serving, egg whites are an ideal protein source for your summer diet. While the egg yolk is also packed with nutrients, the whites are where you'll get that much-needed protein. Cooking up four egg whites will give you generous plate full of scrambled eggs. Season to taste and you'll be adding 20 grams of protein to your diet with ease.
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