Spring is coming. While the rainy days ahead are a time for many people to enjoy snow and cozying up by a fire, it’s also a time of year that can wreak havoc on our health and diets. In the summertime it’s easy to be all about salad and fresh foods. Exercising in warm weather is more comfortable and the longer days give us plenty of light to be active. Unfortunately, many people see their healthy habits slip away during the other seasons. As the weather gets colder we naturally gravitate towards heavy carb comfort foods. This leads to extra pounds and less energy.

While it’s easy for these bad habits to get out of hand, there are easy ways to stay happy and healthy during these colder months. It’s important to still get in at least five servings of fruits and vegetables. This is easily achievable with hearty homemade soups and chilis. When making them myself, I can pack in lots of seasonal vegetables. In my house, we have a rule that the dinner plate must be colorful – like an artist’s palette. What that means is that we can’t just have a dinner that’s full of beige starchy pasta and potatoes. Vitamins and minerals come from colorful fruits and vegetables. Colors aren’t just for Rothko.

Getting enough vitamins will also help your immune system bounce back from the flu season. It’s important to be prepared early so you’re not having to take sick days through all the seasonal changes that springtime brings. But exercise is also a proven way to ward off colds and keep your energy up. During the rainy days, I move my normal regimen indoors or explore new activities like Youtube pilates. There are more fitness choices than ever before. And it’s often overlooked but you must make sure to stay hydrated during colder weather. It might not be on your mind to reach for the water as often, which means many people are dehydrated during the winter.

If I’m craving my favorite comfort food, I try making a healthier version of it for dinner. Mashed potatoes can be made with seasonal cauliflower instead. I add extra veggies to make my pasta dishes colorful and more dynamic. And it’s not just about the veggies; I love dessert too! You don’t have to give up your favorite foods. What I do is make sure that the less healthy options don’t dominate my nutritional balance and that they benefit my body in some way.

I am grateful every time I get to make tasty food that also nourishes my body. Don’t wait for a new month, season, or year to be the best version of yourself. We should be celebrating our bodies – the wonderful creations that we are – and we can do that by continuing to make good choices all year long.