Foods to put the Spring in your step

As we shake off Winter and look forward to getting out for walks in the Spring sunshine and fresh air, our bodies start to waken, like nature.  It is a prime time to start focusing on foods to enliven and refresh the body and mind.  You may even feel a natural shift and desire towards foods and drinks that feel light, fresh and nutrient dense as the season starts its renewal.  There are lots of tasty foods in season that are easy to incorporate into everyday meals.  

Here’s a selection to put that spring in your step and power up your immune system too: 

Leafy Greens & Spring Root Vegetables – A colourful mix of the leafy Spring Greens, Arugula, Chard, Watercress and Spinach plus all the lighter root vegetables like Beetroot, Carrots and Radishes can be used to create tasty light, nutrient dense salads topped with your choice of protein.  Spring Greens are packed with Folate (B Vitamins).  To maximise the benefits eat raw or steam very lightly.  

Rhubarb – A favourite of mine and great to pair with Strawberries.  Rhubarb is full of antioxidants called Anthocyanins which give it the beautiful deep pink to red colour.  The richer the colour the more abundant the antioxidant factor which may help to lessen your risk of heart disease and to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.  

Asparagus – A powerhouse of Vitamin K and other nutrients such as Selenium and B Vitamins,  the stalks are thinner and more tender in Spring. Asparagus may help to improve overall health but certainly increases heart and bone health. 

Mint – Herbs are often overlooked but can easily be added to salads, fruit salads and as garnish for dishes.  Mint has a powerful antioxidant effect and may help against Seasonal Allergy Disorders which some people have found to be creeping in even earlier this year.  Mint can alleviate stomach upset and act as a natural decongestant.  You can enjoy Mint added to cold water or iced tea as a refreshing drink.  

Your taste buds will also thank you for changing up your meal routines and introducing a few of these ‘in season’ ingredients with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.