7 Ways to Clean Your Diet (and Your Pantry) for Spring

by Lexi Petronis

Romulo A Yanes
Romulo A Yanes

Well, I'm going to admit it--I've officially got the spring-fever bug. Do you? This doesn't mean I've done any actual spring-cleaning of my house or anything like that (yet!), but I have been thinking about it. (That counts, right?) And it makes sense to start with the kitchen--and one's eating habits--first, don't you think?

Sharon Richter, R.D., thinks so too. She says that it's important to clean out your pantry at least once a year: "Its also great time to assess your eating habits and freshen up some of your go-to staples in the snack and nonperishable categories," she says. And she has some good ideas for jump-starting the whole process:


1: "Empty everything from your kitchen cabinets. It's OK to start with a mess and you'll be surprised what's hiding in there!" she says.

2: "Throw away anything that has expired, has been open for more than a couple weeks, or you know you're just not going to use."

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3: "Organize everything by category: snacks, meal starters, nuts and dried fruits, cereal and carbs, and so on," she says.


4: Then take a look at labels. "Here are a couple of ingredients you simply shouldn't have in any foods: hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), monosodium glutamate (MSG)," she says.

5: "Make sure you have plenty of portion-controlled snacks readily available and at the front of the pantry. You tend to eat more of what is eye-level or easily accessible," Richter says. "I always stock up on Balance Bar Dark Bars. They're a good snack in the afternoon when your energy tends to drop."

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6: "We all have had those insanely busy days when there is no time to eat," she says. "Instead of reaching for something quick but non-nutritious, have a stash of protein-rich foods so you don't end up at the drive-through or vending machine. Nuts, beef jerky...these items are good for traveling and can be portion controlled."

7: Have lots of water around. "We often confuse hunger with thirst, so before you reach for a snack, drink eight ounces of water," she says. "This will give you the extra time to determine if you're really hungry--and will also help you make a better decision on what you ultimately eat. You're much more likely to make a healthy choice!"

When spring rolls around, how do you change your eating habits?

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