Spring Eating

🌸 Spring!! A season of renewal—a time to clear out the old and make space for the new. Just like we declutter our homes, our bodies also benefit from a nutritional reset—especially when it comes to processed foods. But what exactly are processed foods, and why are they bad for you? Let’s break it down.

Processed foods are loaded with highly processed ingredients, often through refining, preservatives, or additives. While some processing (like freezing or drying) is harmless, foods altered from their natural state are considered processed. This list includes high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium), hydrogenated oils (soybean, canola, palm oil, margarine), artificial flavors, colors (Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6), emulsifiers (carrageenan, guar gum, xanthan gum) and finally, excess sodium additives (sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate)

Common examples include:
Packaged snacks (ANYTHING in a package with shelf life!)
Fast food and frozen meals Sugary cereals and flavored yogurts, processed meats (hot dogs, deli meats, bacon), soda, energy drinks, and artificially flavored juices

The Hidden Dangers of Processed Foods on Your Health

Consuming too many processed foods can lead to: Blood sugar crashes & hormone imbalances – Leading to fatigue, cravings, and mood swings, Gut dysfunction & inflammation – Artificial additives harm gut bacteria, increasing bloating and digestive issues, Adrenal fatigue & cortisol imbalances – Processed foods put stress on your body, leading to energy depletion, and Toxin buildup – Preservatives and chemicals overload your liver, making detoxification harder. Simply put, processed foods keep you stuck in a cycle of low energy, brain fog, and sugar cravings and keep the weight on or going up!

Gradually Swap Processed Foods for Healthier Choices: overhauling your diet overnight can feel overwhelming, but small, gradual changes can lead to long-term success. Here are a few simple swaps to get started:

• Replace cereals with oatmeal made with old-fashioned oats, chia pudding, or eggs with avocado
• Swap out flavored yogurts with plain Greek yogurt and fresh fruit & honey
• Choose sprouted or sourdough bread instead of any of the  ultra-processed breads
• Opt for homemade salad dressings using olive oil, lemon, and herbs instead of bottled dressings with preservatives & sugar
• Instead of sodas or sugary drinks, try sparkling water with a squeeze of citrus, herbal teas or bubbly water
• Snack on soaked nuts/ seeds, hummus with veggies, or hard-boiled eggs instead of processed granola bars and chips

Why Spring Is the Perfect Time to Clean Up Your Diet

Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to refresh your eating habits. Just as nature starts to bloom, your body craves lighter, more nourishing foods after winter’s heavier, comfort-based meals. Your liver works harder in spring, making it easier to detox from processed food toxins. Longer daylight hours boost metabolism, helping you feel naturally more energized. Seasonal produce becoming fresh and abundant makes it easier to eat whole, unprocessed foods.

If you’ve been feeling tired, sluggish, or stuck in unhealthy habits, this is your chance to reset and give your body the nourishment it truly needs. By making these small changes now, you’ll set yourself up for more energy, better digestion, and a vibrancy that carries you through the Spring!🌸

Try this Spring Asparagus Soup!

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. of asparagus, chopped
• 1 leek, chopped
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and leek; cook 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the potatoes and asparagus; cook another 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the stock and cover.
5. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until all ingredients are soft.
6. Purée the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender and add the coconut milk.

Season the soup to taste and serve warm.