One of my favorite seasons for food has always been summer. Throughout generations, food has aways been something that allows people to form close relationships with family and other loved ones. From the sweet taste of freshly picked fruit, to the smell of charcoal on the grill, there are endless sensations accompanying the food of the well-loved season of summer. Here is some information you should know regarding some summer favorites when you're deciding which you should indulge on.

Ice Cream or Gelato

Ah yes, the infamous debacle of summer desserts. Countless times have I been in the situation where I'm feeling something cold and sweet and I ask myself, "Ice cream or gelato?". Well worry no longer; although ice cream and gelato might seem very similar, there are many differences that may help you in making possibly the hardest decision of your day. The main difference between ice cream and gelato comes down to the basics of what each dessert is made with. Ice cream is made with cream as a base and gelato is made with milk. Although this difference doesn't seem that important for most people, there's one word that might make the information a bit more intriguing: fat. Since ice cream is made with cream, this means that it has a much higher amount of fat than gelato. This can be essential information to individuals who want to stay at least a little healthy in the dessert category. In the flavor field, gelato has more flavor due to the lower fat content as well. Although ice cream is a great American invention, gelato may be the "healthier" and more satisfying choice.

Brown Rice or White Rice

Rice is one of those foods that can go with essentially anything and the opportunities for usage are endless. Rice is used in all different countries and acts as the center of food for many different cultures, such as Chinese, Japanese, and even American. In some Southeast Asian countries, rice is defined as "the sacred grain" due to its versatility. Although the category of rice is used all around the world, what varies is the different types of rice. In American culture for example, the two most common types of rice are white and brown. When choosing whether to use white or brown rice during a meal, it's important to be aware of the difference between the two types and which you will benefit from the most. The most natural kind of rice is brown rice. The reason for this is because in order for rice to be more user-friendly and easier to cook, the outer layer of the grain must be removed. Within this outer layer that is removed from brown rice to make white rice is most of the nutrients, such as fiber, iron, and magnesium. So white rice is essentially brown rice with nowhere near the same amount of nutrients that brown rice contains naturally. All the nutrients that brown rice has is very important to consume in order to maintain a healthy diet, so when choosing which rice to put in a stir fry, burrito, or even as a side, keep in mind the nutritional differences between the two.

Beef Burgers or Bison Burgers

One of the most popular American traditions during the summer is to grill burgers for dinner on a warm night. Since burgers are so popular and well known in America, there is a new up-and-coming type of burger that has been rumored to have more nutritional value than the traditional beef burger. Bison burgers (AKA buffalo burgers) are becoming a fad in the burger industry and some may be wondering: are those rumors about higher nutrition is bison burgers true? As leaner meat than beef, bison meat contains less fat that is bad for you and more fat that is heart-healthy. In a balanced diet, it is important to consume certain fats that can actually benefit your heart and brain, and bison burgers have a great deal of these types of fats. In terms of calories, which are what most people tend to focus on during their "summer diets", bison burgers have fewer calories than beef ones. Other nutrients that bison are more enriched with than beef burgers are iron, vitamin B-12, and protein. After much research, it is clear that the rumors about the positive benefits bison burgers have in comparison to beef burgers are true. So next time you are perusing through the meat isle shopping for burgers for the family or friends, despite the slight higher price, bison burgers are the clear winner in nutrition.

Corn Tortillas or Flour Tortillas

Another type of food that screams summer are tacos. Tacos are so great because they can perfectly satisfy any individual. One of the most important parts of a taco to have the most satisfying experience is the type of soft-shell tortilla used. Other than the self-explanatory main ingredient of each type of tortilla, most people don't know the difference between the two and which, if any, kind is more "healthy" than the other. Some people say that corn tortillas are healthier than flour ones, but it really comes down to what types of nutrients you are looking for when choosing between the two because there is no clear-cut healthier option. If you want more protein in your tortilla, choose flour. If you're a freak about having fewer calories in a day, corn tortillas are for you. Although both tortillas are very high in carbs, there is a clear "winner" in each specific nutritional category that you're looking at, but overall it's a draw.

With all this information, you can learn more about the differences between foods that may at first seem the same. With the knowledge of these differences, it will be easier to maintain a healthier diet and a healthier life during the summer.