The ultimate fridge detox

Now is the perfect opportunity to spring clean your fridge and make it healthier, with the ultimate fridge detox.

Whether you’ve got stuck in a dieting rut, or perhaps you’ve read a million and one conflicting articles on what is and isn’t good for you, taking a long hard look at the staples you stick in your supermarket trolley each week can help you begin the new season nicely on track.

If any of the following foods feature heavily in your weekly shop, it might be time to replace them with a healthier spring alternative. These simple swaps will soon become habits and are a really easy step towards achieving a slimmer body for the summer.

Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate

Even I’m not cruel enough to suggest we can’t enjoy chocolate once in a while. But if it makes up a regular part of your weekly diet, it’s worth transitioning to the dark side. Dark chocolate (70 per cent plus) is higher in iron and fibre, lower in sugar and contains beneficial antioxidants. It may taste very bitter to begin with, but as your tastebuds transition away from the sugary stuff you’ll soon find milk chocolate actually begins to taste too sweet.

Replace soda pop with sparkling water

If you absolutely can’t stand to be without a fizzy drink in warmer weather, try replacing that can of lemonade with a glass of sparkling water. Fizzy drinks contain a lot of added sugar, sweeteners and flavourings, and because they don’t fill us up properly they cause our body to crave even more of the sweet stuff. Choose natural sparkling water instead and add a little fresh lemon or lime if you need more flavour. Sparkling water will keep you hydrated without the added sugar and sweeteners.

Replace butter with avocado

Forget replacing butter with low fat spreadable alternatives. Why not try spreading fresh avocado on your toast instead? With a heap of vitamins and healthy oils, avocado makes for a tasty, savoury alternative. Add a pinch of salt and some fresh lime or coriander for a delicious lunchtime snack.

Replace crisps with popcorn

OK, so they don’t strictly belong in the fridge, but while you’re focused on a spring overhaul, it’s worth ditching your regular crisps in favour of popcorn. Almost all crisps are high in saturated fats, calories and salt, yet they have next to no nutritional value. If you find yourself craving an evening snack, try swapping your crisps for a packet of plain or lightly-seasoned popcorn. Not only will you be saving yourself a heap of calories, you’ll also be giving your body a boost of antioxidants, nutrients and fibre.

Replace creamy salad dressings with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

You’d be forgiven for assuming salad dressings are pretty healthy, especially those marketed as ‘low-fat’ or ‘good for you’, but have you ever stopped to read what’s actually in the bottle? Most contain sugar and salt and many also feature added flavourings or preservatives. Rather than ruin your salad with a shop-bought dressing, why not opt for a simple combination of olive oil, balsamic and lime instead? You could even add some dried herbs such as oregano or basil for extra flavour.