Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

Spring is here, offering us a break from the cold, and it seems to put a smile on everyone’s face and a little “spring” in all of our steps. In a lot of ways, eating healthy is easier in the spring when fresh veggies are making a comeback and farmer’s markets reopen their doors. But the reality is that every season has its challenges, and there are certainly some things in spring which can serve as roadblocks if you let them.

As I mentioned, spring is great for produce, and our bodies might not crave heavy comfort foods as much as we do in the winter months. There are also plenty of great ways to get outside and get moving in April and May, so we might feel a little lighter and brighter on warmer days.  

And because we all start to come out of our shells, there’s also a lot of social interaction in spring. Our calendars start to fill up with coffee dates and dinners out and cocktails, and while it’s really great to be out with friends again, it can be really tough to be mindlessly snacking at all these outings and still meet our health goals. 

This week, I’m bringing you four tips for staying the course when the seasons (and our habits) start to change. 

1. Take a look at the menu ahead of time. 

Take a peek at the menu where you’ll be dining, and try to come up with an option that meets your needs and sounds delicious to you - while you’re still at home. With a glass of wine or martini in hand, it can be a little tougher to make the right decision, so make it easy for yourself and find an option that you love that won’t leave you feeling icky the next day. 

2. Limit your drinks throughout the night. 

There’s no reason you can’t enjoy a cocktail on a night out, but try to treat yourself to one or two instead of indulging all night long. Alcohol can inhibit you from making healthy decisions for the rest of the night, and you might regret going off track later. It can also dehydrate your body and leave you feeling sluggish the next day. 

While you’re drinking, try to alternate alcoholic beverages with water. This trick will help you stay hydrated and prevent you from drinking more than you really meant to. 

3. Get right back on track after a great night out. 

Sometimes, you just really want to go out, let loose, and enjoy whatever food and drinks you want. If you’ve decided that you’re going to go all out for your night out, that’s totally fine! I never want you to feel guilty for enjoying great food. 

The key here is to get right back on track–not the next day, not the next week, but the very next meal. That way, you can enjoy every minute of your night out knowing that it’s just one meal and won’t make or break your goals. 
 

4. Find options with seasonal produce. 

While you’re browsing the menu, look for options that mention seasonal veggies. Seasonal produce is more nutritious and hopefully picked locally, so you can pack whatever dish you’re enjoying with as much nutrients as possible!

Spring is such a fun season, and I’m really enjoying having warmer weather and family time this month. I hope you’re able to enjoy fresh veggies, outings with friends, and sunshine this month!

What’s your favorite part of spring? Let me know in the comments!

If you need some inspiration for healthy living, please join me in my Facebook group Never Diet Again for a great community filled with great discussion!