By Alex Dagostino
Spring signals a promise of warmer weather and longer days to come. If your healthy habits have fallen off track since the holidays, this time of year provides a perfect opportunity to “spring clean” your wellness. Here are some tips for nutritional spring cleaning:
- As the seasons change, so does seasonal produce. Grocery shopping the seasonal produce not only helps to save money, but it can also boost your nutritional intake as you explore a variety of produce options. For seasonal produce calendars for all 50 states, visit https://farmflavor.com/lifestyle/season-produce-calendars-50-states/.
- Focus on what you can add to your diet rather than what foods you should remove. Traditional dieting suggests that your focus should be on eliminating foods that don’t hold high nutritional value. Oftentimes, this leaves people feeling deprived of their favorite foods. Rather than eliminating foods from your diet, shift your focus to what nutritionally-dense foods can be added. Prioritize healthier food options and still enjoy your favorite treats in moderation.
- Keep nutritional items front and center of your fridge and pantry. You will also benefit from pre-prepping ingredients for your meals and snacks. You are more likely to choose healthier foods if they are convenient and within sight.
- Practice mindfulness before bed rather than spending time on your phone to ensure quality sleep. Read a book. Take a hot bath or shower. Write in a journal. Spend time in meditation.
Set goals, track your progress, identify what’s holding you back and seek accountability. Developing new habits takes time, so be patient with yourself. Whatever your health goal may be, it is worth it. Simple swaps can lead to a big impact towards your healthy habits spring cleaning!