Simple swaps to shape up fast, with David Kirsch

It's May, which can only mean one thing: The imminent arrival of bathing suit season. Even if you're not heading to some far-flung locale this year, it's still natural to want to get in tip-top shape for the summer months. Luckily, getting fit doesn't necessarily mean forgoing foods you love. Here, celebrity trainer David Kirsch offers simple swaps to make before shimmying into that swimsuit.

If you love bread ... try multi-grain or gluten-free versions. Many of us are gluten-intolerant (something we might not even be aware of), so bread can cause uncomfortable bloating. And generic whole wheat isn't any better: It's often mixed with less-than-healthy elements such as white grains, so multi-grain is a healthier approach.

If you love cherries and bananas ... try strawberries and blueberries. Strawberries and blueberries specifically are packed with antioxidants and they're lower in sugar and calories than their other counterparts.

If you love a Shake Shack burger ... try the Shake Shack Bird Dog. Made with a chicken-apple sausage, the Bird Dog is leaner in protein and has nutrients from the apple that the burger doesn't have. Or, try David's guiltless barbecue burger (recipe right). Turkey and buffalo are way leaner than traditional ground beef, plus you know exactly what you're getting in your burger (or in any food) when you make it at home.

If you love sweetened ice tea ... try Ito En Green Tea. Pure green tea has no sugar - unlike sweetened iced tea. Stick with plain, or try the mint flavor for added kick.

If you love cereal ... try steel cut oats. If you're a daily cereal eater, try steel cut oats, which are full of fiber and the good healthy carbs which will give you energy. Cereal in general has more fat and sugar per calorie.

If you love ice cream ... try sorbet. It sounds like a no-brainer, but sorbet will satiate your sugar fix with less fat and fewer calories. Plus, it also has the added benefit of vitamins and nutrients from real fruit.

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Try this: David's Guiltless Barbecue Burgers

-4 ounces lean ground buffalo meat
-4 ounces lean ground turkey breast
-1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-2 tablespoons low-sugar, low-sodium barbecue sauce
-2 egg whites, beaten
-Nonfat vegetable cooking spray

1. Mix all ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl. 
2. Form the mixture into two patties. 
3. Spray a grill or nonstick skillet with cooking spray, heat to medium-high heat. 
4. Place the patties on grill or skillet, and cook about eight minutes per side (for medium), until cooked through.

Makes 2 servings. Per serving: 185 calories, 33g protein, 8g carbohydrate, 3g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0.5g fiber, 4g sugar 

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Visit davidkirschwellness.com or follow David on Twitter @DavidKirsch

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