Take a Bite Out of Spring and Try New Foods

Spring means a new start-fresh beginnings.

Why not consider eating clean and trying new foods this season. Try organic, non-GMO, whole foods that are free of packaging, additives, preservatives and chemicals. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy in-season produce, herbs and spices, fresh from your local farmer’s market. You can also experiment with planting your own herb and vegetable garden.

Here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy what the new season has to offer.

Choose local and in-season produce

When we buy local and in-season foods, we eat healthier. Less travel time from harvest to plate means less nutrients lost. We also lower the carbon footprint and help the environment. We support local farmers who are important to our communities. In most provinces, the following wholesome foods are in-season this season: rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, peas, cherries, beets and beans.

Eat more veggies.

Be adventurous! Vegetables offer an array of nutritional benefits, including fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like phytonutrients. Many non-starchy vegetables are low glycemic and can help keep your blood sugar in check. It’s cliché but true-you won’t know until you try. Consider kale, sea vegetables, mushrooms and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower for their superfood benefits. Which ones will you steam, sauté, grill, bake or roast?

Reach for raw

Eating more veggies is good, and eating them raw can be even better! Eat raw, nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits in a wide range of colours to receive the benefits of an assortment of vitamins. Try juicing and making smoothies to conveniently and easily get raw produce into your diet.
Bite into beautiful berries

Springtime is a great time to eat more berries. They are a rich source of fibre and antioxidants. Sprinkle an assortment of berries on your cereal, yogurt and salad. They are nature’s candy!

Ditch packaged foods

Avoid products that contain ingredient names that look unfamiliar to you. They usually equate with unhealthy additives, preservatives and chemicals. Instead, select local, in-season, whole foods.

Get rid of refined foods

Spring clean your gut by eliminating refined foods like white rice and white flour that are nutrient-stripped and high glycemic. Make your own wholesome flours by grinding mineral-rich seeds such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Consider sprouted seeds as they can offer over 1000% more vitamins and antioxidants! Bake homemade pizza and lasagna with an eggplant or cauliflower crust. Replace nutrient poor rice with nutrient-dense quinoa. Make a wrap with seaweed or collard greens.

Go organic when possible

When you choose foods that are organic, you are not only helping the eco-system, you are also helping your gut. Organic foods are clean and free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, genetically modified processes, antibiotics and anything that is unnatural-from start to finish. They are higher in minerals and are free of GMOs. Organic foods often taste better too.

Say goodbye to sugar

This is one of the healthiest detoxifications you can offer your body. Use natural sweeteners that are lower on the glycemic index, such as stevia to replace refined sugar that has been stripped of its minerals. Although maple syrup and honey are not considered low glycemic, they certainly have more minerals and health benefits than white, refined table sugar. Consider fruits such as dates or monkfruit to sweeten your recipes.

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