Spring Cleaning Your Diet Means:

Choosing High Quality Foods

Organic, unprocessed food choices leave you nourished, better able to heal, and energized for your day. A good rule of thumb is to shop the outside parameter of the grocery store where the fruits, vegetables, and meats and seafood usually live.

Take it a step further by choosing grass fed meats; their wholesome diet ensures a healthier balance of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. And if you really want to up the ante? Look for the label ‘grass finished’ – this means that the animal was fed grass throughout their entire life, rather than the “grass fed” label that may refer to only a portion of the animal’s life.

Keeping It In the Neighbourhood

Choosing local produce can help support your local farms, create a deeper connection to where your food comes from, and help guide you towards more seasonal eating. It ensures you’re changing up your diet every few months and exposing yourself to delicious produce you may previously not have experienced. Visit your local farmer’s markets this Spring and you’ll begin to see asparagus, swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, radishes, spinach, and turnips, among many others.

Feeling Inspired

Food, whether your cleansing or not, can be delicious, fresh, and enjoyable! Consider fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley to dress up an old favourite, try out a new recipe, or explore the healing powers of spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, fennel seed, and ginger. If you’re feeling more depleted than rejuvenated, connect with Rhiannon Lytle for guidance (and encouragement!).

Storing It Well

Great food choices can take a hit when we store them or, even worse, heat them inside plastic containers. You may have heard about bisphenol A (aka BPA) a chemical compound that leaches from plastic, especially when it is heated, into our food. When ingested, this chemical can wreak havoc on our endocrine system, disrupting the delicate balance of our hormones. BPA-free alternatives have popped up but there are now concerns about their safety. Choose glass containers for both storage and reheating. Reuse condiment jars and mason jars – a decision that is healthful for you and the environment.

Stocking Up

Whenever we set out to make new healthy lifestyle changes, preparation is our best weapon. How many of us have left the house with the intention of eating unprocessed foods all day, only to find ourselves at lunchtime with only a few minutes to eat? Inevitably, we choose take-out over a home cooked meal and, generally, expose ourselves to processed food in the process.

This Spring, be your own coach and encourage preparation before you hit the field. Taking Sunday to grocery shop and prepare food can make a world of difference. Use a crock-pot to cut down on preparation time or brew a huge soup that can last you a few days. Carry a (glass) water bottle with you wherever you go. Out of sight, out of mind so ensure there’s daily reminders that you are making changes to better your health!