Spring cleaning has probably been on your to-do list over the last month. Maybe your garage is finally cleared out, your winter clothes are stowed away and dust bunnies have been banished from under the bed. But have you thought about spring cleaning your diet?
Don’t worry — “spring cleaning” doesn’t mean eliminating all your favorite foods and going on a strict detox fast. Our chiropractors in Vancouver Washington instead recommend simply going back to basics, focusing on eating whole, minimally-processed foods that will help you feel your best this spring. Follow these tips to freshen up your diet and improve your health this season.
Reduce Sugar
When sugar consumption goes up, so do waistline measurements. Sweeteners may taste good, but they encourage overeating and deliver empty calories — a recipe for weight gain.
Added sugar can be sneaky, and you can find it in everything from protein bars and yogurt to tomato sauce, canned soups, salad dressings and more. Commit to carefully reading ingredient lists this spring and be on the lookout for names for added sugar like anhydrous dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, fructose and nectars.
Go Raw
Spring is the perfect time of year to start incorporating more raw foods into your diet! You don’t have to quit cooking altogether, but you can take small steps to infuse your meals with a fresh, healthy raw crunch. Whip up a veggie salsa to top your fish or chicken with, use lettuce in place of a flour tortilla for a raw wrap or reach for baby carrots and grapes as a snack. Toss some berries on top of your favorite oatmeal or yogurt, mix raw broccoli into tomato sauce for pasta and enjoy a crisp salad for lunch.
Drink Up
Dehydration can make you sluggish, trick you into thinking you are hungry and even impact your metabolism. Swap out your sugary juices or sodas with water, and start every meal with a big glass to hydrate and fill up your belly at the same time. If you don’t like the taste of water, infuse yours with sliced cucumber, strawberries or lemons. Invest in a reusable bottle so you’ll always have a drink handy.
