You are cleaning out your closets and organizing your desk, why not give your diet a spring cleaning as well? Here are a few tips to get you started:

  1. Identify and eliminate trans fats from your food choices. Avoid margarine, vegetable shortening and anything that contains hydrogenated oils. Instead, use heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil.
  2. Select “true whole grains” – that is, grains that are intact or broken into large pieces rather than ground into flour – instead of refined grains. You will feel fuller, in part because of the higher fiber content whole grains provide.
  3. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Make a colorful salad – with red and yellow peppers, dark leafy greens, and ripe tomatoes – part of one meal every day. And add a fresh fruit salad as a delicious and healthful alternative to high calorie desserts.
  4. Choose less processed foods. A simple way to do this is to skip the fast food and prepackaged snacks – instead have veggies and hummus, almond butter and an apple, or a homemade sandwich with organic proteins and fresh vegetables.