Enjoy Healthy Versions of Summer Favorites.

• Position: PLANT-BASED DIETS

Planning summer dishes may seem like a simple enough task, but for those on a plant-based diet, navigating and attending events and celebrations can be quite frustrating.

"Instead of focusing on what you cannot eat, enjoy healthy versions of what you can," says certified clinical nutritionist Vikki Petersen. 'You'll find out that friends and family will enjoy what you provide as well--sometimes better than the traditional fare."

Here are Petersen's top five plant-based dishes that will have even the meat lovers going back for seconds:

* A robust bean chili, with an optional "meat," such as Beyond Meat or Quorn meatless pieces, is a great addition to any celebration. "A flavorful chili can be served hot or cold and the 'meat' portion will go unnoticed as plant-based."

* Potato salad always is a staple at picnics and is extremely easy to make plant-based. "A simple switch to egg-free vegan mayonnaise is all that it takes. A nice benefit to cooking and then cooling potatoes is that it brings out their resistant starch, a great source of fuel for your microbiome that won't leave you craving sweets."

* Fruit salad is a great summertime favorite that is always plant-based. "Use 'special' fruits that help prevent sunburn for an added benefit...