Written by Lyssandra Guerra, Nutrition Consultant graduate
This article was originally featured on Lyssandra’s Native Palms Nutrition blog. It has been re-posted with permission from the author.
If you haven’t noticed, it’s spring! Spring in the Bay Area is so predictably unpredictable. One day it’s hot and sunny and the next it’s drab and windy. It can be hard to gauge what to wear and how to feel sometimes, since our moods are so connected to the weather.
One thing is for sure, your body’s wisdom knows that this season is all about renewal. Renewing the body with new thoughts and ideas and fresh, lighter foods.
Spring vegetables and fruits help your body to gently purge and cleanse fat buildup and toxins from heavy foods like sugars, starches, animal products, and comfort foods. If you’ve been wanting to be physically active and eat fresher, lighter foods, then you’re experiencing your body following its natural circadian rhythms and desire to eat seasonally.
As we head into spring, it’s best to avoid refined grains, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods and to add antioxidant-rich plant foods that support the liver and digestive system.
Try adding these ingredients to your spring repertoire:
Dandelion Greens
Dandelion greens and roots are rich in minerals and antioxidants, which support the cleansing of the digestive tract and liver. The bitter quality of dandelion greens increases the production of bile, which breaks down fats, aids in digestion, and eliminates toxins from the liver. Add dandelion greens to your arugula salad or sip on dandelion root tea throughout the day.
Artichokes
Artichokes also stimulate bile to protect the liver and purify the blood. Artichokes are mildly diuretic, meaning that any toxins that the liver breaks down will most certainly get flushed out properly.
Asparagus
Asparagus contains a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, well known for its detoxifying properties. Like artichokes, it is also a diuretic and helps the body remove toxins. Asparagus contains inulin—a prebiotic that helps support the “good” bacteria in your gut.
Radishes
Radishes aid in bile production, cleanse the liver, prevent constipation, offer sinus congestion relief (peace out seasonal allergies!), and even reduce fat deposits in the body.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit juice and its pith flush out toxins by helping to remove waste from the colon. Grapefruit strengthens immunity and speeds up the cleansing process to repair any damage from poor foods, drinks, and pollution. They also contain compounds that can help prevent fatty liver disease, a condition caused by heavy drinking, excess weight, and diabetes.
Spring is the perfect time to give your organs a break and honor your body with high vibrational, nutrient-rich plants and lean protein to support your nervous system and adrenals.
It’s also best to reduce exposure to pollution and heaters and dust your homes, bring in new air-loving plants, and open the windows for natural air and sunshine.