How to Spring Clean Your Diet

Remember back about two months ago when you promised yourself that you would go on that diet starting the first of the year. Didn't work and you didn't stick with it. Here is a remedy to get started again.

Find the largest garbage can you can find and use it to rid your kitchen of all the garbage your have been eating.

We will start with your Refrigerator:

Toss Out:

High calorie spreads, salad dressings, dips, and condiments- Nacho cheese dip, blue cheese salad dressing, mayo and all of your potato chip dips.

Yogurt with fruit on bottom- It has more sugar than just about anything else in the fridge.

Extra beer- Ok so you may need one after a hard day at the office. Unless you are entertaining, only chill a couple at
a time. If you don't keep it around you'll be less likely to overdo it at night when you get home from work.

Replacements:

To replace your hugh calorie spreads, dressings and condiments- Bring in a few varieties of sasa, vinaigerette dressings and mustards. Other low-carb steak, barbecue and cocktail sauces that are free of added sweeteners.

Replace your Yogurt with fruit on the bottom- Go with the sugar free, plan variety mix inyour own fresh fruit and nuts for flavor. Or Greek, which has extra protein.

Bring in lean protein such as chicken breast, turkey breast, fresh fish and RED MEAT. Yes, I said RED MEAT, lean RED MEAT. Purchase in bulk at a wholesale grocery, split up the family size packages into the amount that you would ear for one meal. Package into smaller bags and freeze this will save you money.

Load up on fresh uncut veggies and fruit. Broccoli, Spinach, Apples, Green/Red/Yellow Peppers, Apples, oranges and what ever is in season. Buy only what you can eat in one week so your produce doesn't go bad.

Get yourself a large water pitcher with water filter and keep it fullat all times to keep uyou from buying those plastic water bottles. Everytime you fill up your water glass top off your pitcher and keep it at arms reach in your fridge.

Let's work on your Pantry:

Toss Out:

Trash any product which claims to be "trans-fat free".

Go through your breakfeast foods, especially your kids. A quick rule to remember is: Never buy cereal with more than 10 grams sugar or less than three grams of fiber per serving. A no-no is Pop-Tarts, it has more than 40 ingredients. Also, if you can't pronounce an ingredient, you shouldn't eat that item.

And finally the biggest culprit snacks and sugar drinks- Get rid of all chips, pretzels, cookies, candy and any bottles of soda or tea you have in the fridge.

Replacements:

Keep or replace partially hydrogenated or fully hydrigenated oil. No exceptions.

Items to replace for breakfeast are: Multi-Gran Cheerios, Special K Plus Protein, Wheaties, Post Grape-Nut Flakes, Kahi 7 Whole Grain Honey Puffs and Post Honey Bunches of Oats.

Stock up on rolled oats and canned beans- Eat the oats(Not Instant Oatmeal) with eggs for breakfeast and have beans as a side dish for lunch or dinner. Aim for a serving of both of the lean, high-fiber, nutrient options almost every day.

Nutritious Snacks: Raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios are good for you in small amounts. Also, plain microwave popcorn without the butter.

Tea: Green tea is the most talk about but black and white are just as potent. Compunds in tea may fight cancer, heart disease, depression and fatigue. If caffeine bothers you get decaffeinated tea. Tea is also good for your brain improving concentration and memory. Just do not add sugar.

I hope this will get you started for spring and also motivate you to start a exercise program so you can get out and enjoy the great outdoors.