Forget New Year’s Eve

Maybe it’s because January 1 ushers in a month during which eating hearty comfort foods and relaxing by the fire just feels right.

Or perhaps the Romans had it right: Their calendar called for the New Year to begin on April 1.

Whatever the reason, spring’s longer, warmer days always make me want to make resolutions — and especially to recommit to eating right. I think of this shift as a kind of spring–cleaning: I’m clearing away the rich and somewhat heavier foods that taste good in cold weather and opting instead for lighter dishes that rely on vegetables and fruit, especially the season’s first produce.

Just as important, now that it gets dark later, I'm more likely to take a walk or ride my bike after dinner. I actually enjoy the excercise when I run into my neighbors doing the same thing, some of whom I seldom see during the winter months.

I’m not talking about drastic changes here. In fact, I think radical shifts in diet and lifestyle tend to backfire. We are who we are and when we try to change too much too quickly, we’re likely to revert to our old ways. But, small, realistic changes — cutting back on fat and calories and getting some amount of excercise on most days — are sustainable, give you energy and vitality, and can improve your health.

I’m known for saying “everything in moderation,” a philosophy that allows you to enjoy all foods and doesn’t leave you feeling hungry or deprived. Have a big, vegetable–laden salad for dinner. And then enjoy a brownie — just one — for dessert. This kind of eating isn’t contradictory; it’s balanced. And while moderation isn’t the kind of slogan that’s going to sell millions of diet books, it works for my family. And I bet it will work for yours too.

Post a Tip or Comment