‘Spring clean your body’ as the weather improves

People should view the improvement in the nation's weather and the approaching summer months as the chance to 'spring clean' their body and overhaul their exercise and diet regimes, it has been advised.

Registered nutritionist Dr Carina Norris said spring is a good idea for a person to take stock of their diet and see where it might have slipped a bit over the winter months.

"Try to cut down on fatty, nutrient-poor foods, and fill up on nutrient-dense foods such as lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, pulses, nuts and seeds, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Also make sure you stay well hydrated," she recommended.

Recent reports have suggested that the fatty acids in coconut oil can boost metabolism and aid weight loss, though Ms Norris said actual studies on this have shown mixed results.

"I don't yet believe they provide enough evidence to switch to this oil in favour of others for cooking and baking, for this reason at least," she added.

However, she did point to animal studies suggesting that polyphenol compounds in coconut oil can lower total cholesterol and the 'bad' LDL form of cholesterol, as well as raising 'good' HDL cholesterol, which could potentially have heart benefits.

"I think it's a case of 'watch this space' until more research is conducted," Ms Norris concluded.

Have you considered treating your body to a 'spring clean'?