“Spring” Into a Healthy You!

Article by Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD
Posted on April 14, 2008

Many people gain weight over the winter months. The cold weather may prohibit people from getting outside to exercise or some may seek “comfort” in high calorie foods. Springtime is a great time to begin a new healthy lifestyle. The addition of warmer weather can help to improve people’s moods, which can lead to higher energy levels. Your local market will also increase their selection of heart healthy produce, allowing you to eat more fruits and vegetables.

You can spring into health by setting a few goals. A good initial goal could be to clean out your refrigerator. Scrub the inside down and check the expiration dates on all of the foods and beverages. Throw out any old or outdated products. You might also place an open box of baking soda in the back of your fridge to remove odors.

Next make out a grocery list to refill your refrigerator with healthy foods. Pre plan your week menu and purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables. If you can, wash the produce when you get home from the store and get it ready to use. Use individual storage containers to create an instant snack for yourself. Try baby carrots with hummus or broccoli florets dipped in a low fat ranch. Fruit that is pre cut can be a quick addition to a yogurt smoothie or a topping for whole grain cereal.

Now that your refrigerator is filled, focus on your pantry. Purchase a variety of whole grains and legumes that can be the “star” of your next dish. Include whole-wheat pasta that can be topped with a chunky vegetable pasta sauce. Black beans and brown rice can be combined with mushrooms, onions, bell pepper, and spinach to create a great minestrone soup. Whole-wheat couscous combined with garlic, olive oil and leftover chicken for a tasty Mediterranean dish.