How to transition into a spring diet

I often guide my patients to make sustainable diet and lifestyle changes for long-lasting health and wellness, and this applies to the transition into a spring diet.

I strongly believe in the health benefits of eating seasonally since our inner nature is reflected by the external world. When we can be in-tune with the season and eat what is naturally available at that time, it’s not only better for the environment, but it’s also better for our health.

We often get overly-zealous when spring arrives, and it’s common for us to drastically change our diets to reflect the season. This is partly due to the media’s push of spring diets and messaging around getting our ‘summer bodies’ back. However, I believe easing into a new season by incorporating subtle diet shifts can make the transition seamless, allowing our bodies to naturally detoxify and rid themselves of excess weight held over the winter.

Here are my top tips for transitioning into a spring diet:

Ease into it

Although you may be craving more raw foods than you did in the winter, it’s important to transition slowly into raw meals. Our digestive tract benefits from eating intuitively; when it’s cold and rainy, favour warm dishes with beans, root veggies and meat to keep your digestion on track. On days that it’s sunny and warm, incorporate lighter dishes like salads and raw fruits and veggies.  

Incorporate baby greens

Densely-packed with chlorophyll, vitamin c, vitamin k, and folate, baby greens help support healthy intestinal microbes, keeping our gut and digestive tract healthy.

Flavour dishes with herbs

Since herbs are now in season, enjoy the added flavour and nutrition from parsley, cilantro, dill and mint.

Help facilitate your body’s natural detoxification process

Spring is a natural time for the body to rid itself of toxins, waste, and excess weight carried over the winter. Help your body’s natural detoxification process by making a tea or elixir with ginger, lemon, turmeric or dandelion root.

Increase your fibre intake

Since our bodies are attempting to detoxify, it’s important to up our intake of fibre to help cleanse our colons and improve our digestion. Increase your intake of fruits and veggies, or add flax and/or chia seeds to your oatmeal or smoothie.

Eat berries

Berries give us phytochemicals, flavonoids and antioxidants which help keep us healthy and ward off disease. Plus, berries aid our lymphatic and immune system.