Spring Cleaning your Diet
Change Your Eating Habits to Match the Season
You 'spring clean' the house, the garage, change your wardrobe to suit the season. Why not 'spring clean' your diet?
With the change of season, many of us get into a ‘spring cleaning’ mood. We clean the house, clean the garage, get rid of the junk, throw the winter clothes into the wash and put on fresh, lighter clothes. It feels so good! Spring eating can feel good too.
Spring cleaning your diet is the suggestion from Pam Davis, dietitian and diabetes educator at Baylor Medical Center, Garland, Texas.
While her recommendations are especially relevant for people living with diabetes, in particular Type 2 diabetes, they are also good advice for all of us. Following Ms Davis’ steps will have us all feeling fresher, lighter and with more energy to enjoy the longer days ahead.
Five Ways to Tailor Your Diet to Spring
- Clean it up
Now’s the time to change over from sticky soda drinks or sugar and caffeine-laden coffee and head for something lighter. Plain water or soda water are best. Water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is delicious and refreshing. Herbal teas make great iced tea for hot days.
- Clean your plate and your palate
Ditch the heavy meals and cheese-topped casseroles. Look for simpler, lighter meals using lots of vegetables, quality protein such as fish or steak and grains like brown rice, couscous, quinoa and millet. Remember the Mediterranean diet – it’s light, healthy and delicious. Maybe you can try some new seasonal vegetables you've never eaten before.
- Clean it out
You’ve cleaned out the garage and tossed out all the junk (or maybe that’s still on your to-do list!). Now it’s time to clean out the fridge, freezer and pantry. Toss anything that’s old or unhealthy, that’s passed its ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date. Don’t keep frozen meat any longer than six months. Chances are, if you haven’t used it by then, you didn’t really want it. Label and date any of yesterday’s leftovers before you freeze them for later use.
- Plan it out
Planning your meals helps you create more variety, organize your shopping, and means you’re less likely to go for fast food. Sit down with your recipe book or browse recipe websites for ideas for fresher, lighter meals. Involve the kids in meal planning – they are more likely to eat food they’ve helped to plan. They might come up with some clever ideas, too!
- Cut it down
Everyone goes out for meals once in a while, and eating out should always be fun. But fun doesn’t have to equal fat. Remember that restaurant meals are generally bigger portions than you’d serve at home, and are often high in fat and sodium. Try to split a main course with someone else at your table, or order a smaller entrée. If the restaurant offers a half portion, that’s a great option.
See also: Eat Green Vegetables for Health
See also: Ways to Eat More Fruit and Veg
