Diet

Tips on Spring Cleaning Your Diet

Emily Lockhart

Published on February 9, 2020 Updated on August 28, 2020

Health Check Certified By: Julie Ching, MS, RDN, CDE

As we usher in a new season, we often succumb to the temptation to declutter and purge more than just our homes and garages. Giving your diet a good spring cleaning—particularly after a winter filled with eating starchy, comfort foods in front of the TV—can really help you adopt a lighter, healthier mindset for the new season ahead. Plus, if you happened to pack on some extra winter weight, now is the time to shed those excess pounds around your tummy before bathing suit season.

Consume Smaller Portions

Often in spring we’re less likely to resort to heavy, starchy foods for warmth and comfort and more likely to eat smaller, lighter meals and snacks—such as Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast instead of a heavy bowl of oats or granola.

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Eat More Often

Grazing (or eating small snacks rather than three large, heavy meals) helps to keep you energized because your blood sugar levels remain stable throughout the day. It also means you’re less likely to binge mid-day because you’re starving.

Hydrate to Detox

We drink more fluids during the warmer months—water, herbal teas (both hot and iced), and fresh fruit juices, which aid hydration as well as liver and kidney detoxification.

Cut those Carbs

Starchy, heavy meals taken in front of the television or computer are not as welcome come spring. Suddenly we have access to more local fruits and vegetables than usual, which means we want less starchy, processed, protein, and fat-heavy meals.

Get Imaginative with Color

Go for a colorful plate of fruits or vegetables. Not only does it make any meal more appealing; the spring season means you’ll have access to more in-season, local produce at farmer’s markets and grocery stores.

Eat to Energize

Spring cleaning your diet typically means you’ll consume more vitamins and natural foods in your diet—which naturally leads to more energy and potential weight loss as well.

Eat Raw

Just venture out to a local farmer’s market and tempt your springtime pallet with the bounty of fresh fruits and veggies available—no oven necessary for delicious meals and snacks.

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Go Back to Basics

The tendency to consume more whole, local foods come spring means you’ll be consuming more vitamins, minerals and nutrients—and fewer calories. Clean eating does take a bit of pre-planning, but it will also save money because you’ll eat at home more often.

Think Light

With a bounty of fresh fruits and veggies available, you’ll certainly be tempted to eat fresher and lighter—making fruit and veggie salads, stir-fries, grilled veggies, and smoothies your meals of choice.

Bid Adieu to Processed Foods

Come spring, suddenly those packaged mini pizzas and frozen fries don’t seem so appealing. However, your palette will certainly crave those fresh meats readily available at your local butcher shop, and fresh herbs, veggies, and fruit at local farms.

Looking for tips to help you lose weight and eat healthier for spring? Check out these articles:

Emily Lockhart

Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.

Julie Ching, MS, RDN, CDE

Julie Ching is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator in Los Angeles. She decided to become a Dietitian after traveling through Europe, South America, and Asia and discovered a passion for food. She now works with people of all ages and varying disease states to improve their health. She is passionate about teaching people about nutrition so they can live their best life while still considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.