Foods to Favor in Spring

Mark the shift from winter to spring
As yogis, we take our cues from nature.  Despite the current human trend to disconnect from nature as we spend increasing amount of time in cars, computers and buildings, we are part of nature and our physiology is deeply affected by the natural rhythms. As yogis, we practice being tuned in to our breath and body.  Alignment is what we do in yoga, and the transition into a new season is an invitation to align our physiology with the season. In the spring, there is a natural urge to make a clean, fresh start.

The equinox marks the shift from winter into spring. The weather is gets warmer. The daffodils start to bloom. There are blossoms on the cherry trees. The trees are leafing out. My kale plants have started growing again. Birds are chirpy. Depending on where you live, the warmer weather may come earlier or later, but March marks the transition into spring.  

The winter weather in your area may have been mostly cold and dry or cold and wet.  In either case, you were probably eating more filling and heavier foods, more fats and proteins, to keep your body nourished.  Now, that it’s spring, there is a natural craving for lighter foods. You may be already feeling this.

How to eat to as you move into spring
I recently made a video with my friend and colleague, Alexandra Epple, about how to eat as we transition from winter to spring.
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Spring, the season to detox
The body’s need for the heavier, rich foods of winter shifts to a desire for light, dry, simple foods that digest easily. Maybe you’ve noticed your cravings change. The arrival of the warmer weather often is accompanied by the desire to eat less of the heavier substantial foods of winter, and the desire to eat lighter foods such as fruits, fresh veggies and salads.  This is the body’s way of telling you it’s time for a SPRING CLEANING.

This is a great time to do a CLEANSE or DETOX.  You may have access to a reliable and appropriate CLEANSE OR DETOX, such as a mono-diet or a juice cleanse, but anyone can DETOXIFY THE BODY by simply adding more of the flavors of pungent, bitter, astringent tastes found in seasonal, bitter greens, berries, ginger, turmeric and simply prepared veggies and vegetable soups.  

How to live and eat for spring
To balance the COOL DAMPNESS of spring, we want to INTRODUCE foods, flavors and experiences that are:

• WARMING
• LIGHT
• DRY
• MOBILE
• SHARP
• PENETRATING

We want to REDUCE foods, flavors and experiences that are:

• COLD
• HEAVY
• OILY
• STATIC
• DULL
• SLOW

If  we do this, we will be less likely to experience COMMON SPRING IMBALANCES such as

• Sinus or chest congestion
• Spring allergies
• Lethargy

Let’s talk food!

TASTES TO FAVOR AND ENJOY IN THE SPRING:

• BITTER
• ASTRINGENT
• PUNGENT

FOODS TO FAVOR:

• GREENS!  To clean out the body!
• PUNGENT SPICES: ginger, black pepper, lemon, turmeric
• DRY GRAINS: corn, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, rye
• ASTRINGENT FRUITS: apples, pears, berries, prunes
• LEGUMES AND LEAN PROTEINS: beans, lentils, egg whites, chicken, fish
• BITTER VEGETABLES: kale, arugula, dandelion greens, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli
• RAW HONEY in moderation

FOODS TO REDUCE:

• Anything cold
• Dairy products
• Sweet heavy fruits (dates, figs, bananas)
• Breads and refined carbs
• Heavy, oily, fried foods
• Roasted nuts
• Salt – because it adds to fluid retention
• Animal protein – eat in moderation during spring

Suggested Spring Meals:

BREAKFASTS:

• Green smoothies made with fresh fruits and greens, consumed at room temperature or slightly warm.  Add ginger and turmeric for more cleansing qualities
• Porridges made with lighter grains such as buckwheat or millet
• Fruits like cherries and berries, apples and pears

LUNCHES AND DINNERS:

• Enjoy cooked legumes, cooked grains, freshly cooked veggies, salads (midday)
• KITCHERI and other veggie stews
• LENTILS AND RICE DISHES
• CHICKPEAS, BLACK BEANS
• ASPARAGUS STEAMED OR IN SOUP
• ASIAN STIR FRIED VEGGIES AND TOFU
• VIETNAMESE PHO SOUP WITH BOK CHOY AND VEGGIES
• CAULIFLOWER OR BROCCOLI STEAMED OR IN SOUPS
• ARTICHOKES
• LIGHTER, LEANER PROTEINS and not so often (chicken, fish, eggs)

More adventures in spring season eating

• TRY SPROUTING!  Sprouts are full of vitality and cleansing properties.
• EAT YOUR WEEDS!  Some of the best nutrition to be found is in your yard. Dandelion, Thistle, Nettles – detoxifiers.  And they are FREE! Read more and get recipes here.
• TRY THHIS SPICE MIXTURE: coriander, fenugreek, cumin, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, cloves
• HYDRATE WELL. DRINK WARM WATER BETWEEN MEALS. Avoid cold beverages.
• ENJOY DIGESTIVE TEAS MADE WITH ginger, anise, cloves, and peppercorn

Need some recipe suggestions? Here's a collection of plant based recipes.

Do you have a spring recipe or tip to share? Contact me.

Happy Spring Eating!