The first thing you might want to grab in the morning is a big cup of coffee, but Daily Harvest’s Nutrition Partner, Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CND, suggests to instead start your day with 10 ounces of water with the juice from half a lemon. We get dehydrated overnight, so she says drinking water first thing in the morning can help rehydrate, support natural detoxification, lubricate joints, provide energy, and boost immunity. The lemon helps support liver health and boost immunity.
Click to shop
2. Get outside and get moving.
Fresh air can do wonders for your body and mood. “After a cold winter and more time spent indoors (especially this year) getting outside for fresh air and sunlight truly is one of the best things you can do for your health,” says Shapiro. And don’t feel like you have to do an intense workout, Shapiro says even a walk can oxygenate your blood and give you a burst of energy any time of day.
3. Eat foods that can help prevent seasonal allergies.
Everything in bloom is great for your IG feed, but all that pollen can be not so great for anyone who finds themselves struggling with allergies through the season. Caroline Margolis, RDN, says there is research that shows “a lack of diversity in the gut microbiota may be associated with seasonal allergies, especially compared to the microbiomes of those without allergies.” That means keeping your gut healthy—and eating certain foods to help achieve that—can help combat your constant sniffling and sneezing. She says foods such as kefir add beneficial live and active probiotics cultures to improve diversity in the guy, which may help allergic response during allergy season (and maybe help cut down your Claritin usage).
4. Add more fiber to your day.
Instead of only focusing on what foods to cut out, Megan Roosevelt, RDN, founder of HealthyGroceryGirl.com and spokesperson for Purecane, says to think about what you can add to your diet. She suggests eating foods that are naturally rich in fiber, which can help feed your “good” gut microbes and keep things moving through your digestive tract. And feel free to get creative with how you use them. “For example, try frozen cauliflower in a smoothie, roasted sweet potatoes added to a salad at lunch, or diced zucchini to your go-to spaghetti sauce at dinner!” she says.
5. Adopt a sugar-conscious diet.
A diet high in added sugar may suppress the immune system, hinder gut health, and contribute to weight gain, says Roosevelt. She suggests swapping traditional sugar in recipes with fresh fruit, dried fruit, or Purecane, a zero-calorie and low glycemic sweetener made from fermented sugarcane.