The birds are beginning to sing, the leaves beginning to unfold, all while Collegiettes awaken from a winter slumber (yes, I’m talking to all of you that were too cold and tired to leave those cozy sheets for your 9am). Fear not, this will all soon be a distant memory because the ever-awaited season of spring is upon us, and UMass is about to bloom into its prime.
Spring is a magical time when you suddenly feel the urge to party all day and stay up all night, but don’t let this crazy routine take a toll on your well being. Instead, use these tips to do a spring-cleaning of your body. This year we can skip the brooms, dusters, and mops: let’s focus on getting our bodies back in gear and clear out all the sludge. The five following tips will be sure to help you bounce back from the winter blues, and will leave you feeling your best. Shine on!
1. Drink lots of WATER. Not enough can be said about the importance of proper hydration. The average person should ideally be consuming about 8, 8oz glasses of water per day. This will not only do wonders for your digestive system, metabolism, and even mind set, but it will also help you to manage your weight. Many times we mistaken hunger with thirst, and this leads to us consuming excess food that our body doesn’t necessarily need. Keep a water bottle with you at all times, and you’ll be sure to consume more water than you previously had, and your energy levels will increase drastically.
2. In contrast, hold off on the soda, Collegiettes. Soda makes you bloated, and it has been linked to an array of diseases. It’s loaded with empty calories, and will leave your body feeling out of whack and sluggish. Did you know that the average can of soda contains 33 grams of sugar? Even if you opt for a diet version, you’re still not out of the danger zone, in fact you may be worse off. Diet sodas contain fake sugar substitutes such as aspartame. Substitutes such as these have been linked to diseases including cancer and diabetes. Take it from above, next time you’re craving some sweet carbonation on your tongue, opt for a sparkling water with a lemon wedge. It may take some time, but after a few weeks, your cravings will diminish, and you’ll be left simply feeling good.
3. Load up on fruits and vegetables. We’ve all heard it before, but it’s important to keep up with this holy grail of healthy eating. Fruits and vegetables contain vital nutrients and minerals that give our bodies the proper energy to keep us going through the day. Some super fruits that have anti-aging properties, combating free radicals include apples, blueberries, and acai berries. Loaded with fiber, fruits are a perfect snack that will keep you full and tide you over until your next meal. Vegetables, like fruits are comprised almost entirely of water, and are also packed with vitamins and minerals. As for super vegetables, try kale, tomatoes, and egg plant. All three actually can reverse signs of aging, and promote a youthful glow, so be sure to keep your pantry stocked with these beauty-enhancing must-haves!
4. Since you’re loading up on those super-fruits and veggies, it’ll be easier to resist the unhealthy packaged, processed food that are taking over our diets. These foods contain uncanny amounts of sugar and sodium, leading to bloating and indigestion. If you find it difficult to wash and cut up fruits and veggies while on the go, prepare your snacks in advance, perhaps the night before or even at the beginning of the week. This can be done with meals too, if you take the time Sunday to prepare a week full of nutritious, appetizing meals you’ll be sure to stay on track.
5. Indulge in a variety of mufa-fats. Yes, believe it or not all fats are bad for you. Certain fats such as olive oil, canola oil, and coconut oil actually are an important part of any healthy diet. Olive oil is known for its heart healthy benefits, and for keeping one’s skin youthful, and glowing. The five types of mufa-fats are oils, dark chocolate, avocados, nuts/seeds, and olives. All of these tasty foods promote a flat belly when eaten in moderation. Mufa-fats are known to help reduce inflammation and aid in the process of weight loss.
Spring into your summer body with these healthy, body-cleansing favorites. Happy eating, Collegiettes!