I love spring. The air feels crisp and clean, flowers and trees begin to bloom, temperatures warm up, and the days stretch longer. It’s an ideal time for a fresh start. Many of us use this season to deep-clean our homes—washing baseboards, mopping floors, decluttering and donating items, and repotting plants. But spring is also the perfect moment to refresh what you eat. Beyond rinsing produce, consider adopting cleaner eating habits: filling your plate with whole, colorful foods that nourish the body. 
What is clean eating?
Clean eating means choosing whole foods—ingredients you can recognize from nature that haven’t been heavily processed or transformed. It’s not about a single grocery store; it’s about choosing beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and minimally processed plant-based proteins. For breakfast, that might look like sprouted-grain toast topped with avocado, fresh herbs, and sautéed mushrooms for a satisfying, protein-forward start.
I follow a practical balance: the 80/20 rule (or 90/10 if you’re ambitious). Aim for 80–90% of daily intake to be clean, whole, unprocessed foods, leaving 10–20% for more processed treats or convenience items. This approach keeps your diet sustainable while still allowing room for enjoyment.
Breakfast
Clean breakfasts are simple and nourishing. Start your day with recipes that are quick to prepare or easy to meal-prep so you can stay energized for anything the day brings.
- Wild Mushroom Avocado Toast
- Instant Pot Teff Porridge
- Savory Steel Cut Oats
- Spirulina Chia Seed Pudding
- Energizing Breakfast Smoothies
Lunches and Sides
Clean eating extends beyond breakfast. Rather than relying on frozen convenience meals or boxed mac and cheese, choose freshly prepared options you can customize and enjoy any time of day. Salads and bowls are versatile: serve them as a main, as a side, or mix and match ingredients for different meals throughout the week.
- Buddha Bowls
- Peach White Bean Salad
- Marinated White Bean Salad
- Beet Fennel Salad
- Beet Black Bean Dip
Main Meals
I’m a salad enthusiast, and for good reason: salads are nutrient-dense, versatile, and can easily serve as lunch or dinner. I aim to eat a salad daily, but you can enjoy them at every meal if you like. A few recipes include pasta—use this as part of the 80/20 guideline or swap in whole-grain, chickpea, or lentil pasta, or substitute quinoa or another whole grain for extra fiber and protein.
- Black Bean Beet Burgers
- Niçoise Salad
- Avocado Pasta with Grilled Veggies
- Burrito Bowl
- Sweet Potato Red Lentil Curry
Desserts and Drinks
Healthy desserts and beverages prove that nutrition doesn’t mean deprivation. Choose treats made from whole-food ingredients for satisfying flavors without excessive processed sugars. Water should be your primary drink, but there are many clean beverages that add flavor and nutrients.
- No-Bake Cherry Walnut Crumble
- No-Bake Raw Coconut Cupcakes
- Avocado Pineapple Popsicles
- Healthy Orange Freeze
- Hibiscus Elderberry Ginger Tea
Spring is a great season to reset your eating habits. Focus on whole, colorful foods most of the time, allow small indulgences occasionally, and enjoy meals that fuel your body and lift your spirits. Happy spring-clean eating!