We’re all eager for winter to be over at this stage. The days are certainly getting longer and the daffodils and snowdrops have started to make their annual appearance. We are all enthusiastically waiting for summer, that goes without say. However, amidst the excitement for warmer and sunnier days, it’s important to keep an eye on our health throughout the springtime. With the fluctuating temperatures at this time of the year, it can be easier for us to pick up bugs and colds and more difficult for us to shift them. Here are my four key messages for staying well this springtime.

The following information should not replace the advise of a healthcare professional. If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, please follow all guidelines from the HSE

Personal Hygiene

The work place can be densely populated areas where many of us spend a lot of time. While we may not have control over whether or not we show up every day (some people may have the option to work from home), we do have control over how be behave before, after and during our visits to the office.

• – Wash hands regularly with soap and hot water.
• – Use hand sanitiser when leaving and entering the building.
• – Reconsider sharing items.
• – Use disinfectant wipes on your keyboard, phone and mouse.
• – Keep your distance, if possible, from sick people.

Kitchen Hygiene

Cooking from scratch has so many advantages. For one, we know exactly what ingredients are going into our meals and at what quantity. That mean that we have the ability to include lots and lots of beautiful, nutritionally-dense vegetables. Each vegetable has its own offering of vitamins and minerals to help keep our bodies functioning optimally. Therefore, we should we aiming to eat a wide range of different vegetables, e.g. red peppers are good for vitamin C while green leafy vegetables are better for B-vitamins. You may wish to read my blog post about the importance of a varied diet for gut health. Here are some steps for good health and nutrition in the kitchen:

• – Aim to have four different vegetables throughout the day.
• – Replace added salt with spices, e.g. turmeric and black pepper.
• – Ensure meat it cooked through before serving.
• – Use disinfectant on surfaces where raw meat has been handled.
• – Keep veggie sticks chopped up in the fridge for when you are craving something crunchy.

All Drop Chef meals are packed with flavour and nutrients and contain limited amounts of salt. I love any of the curry dishes from Drop Chef. The combination of curry paste, coconut milk and garlic means that there\’s never any need to add salt. Check out my recipe for Turkey Curry – you could swap the turkey for chicken, tofu or chickpeas.

Get Outdoors

Spring is a wonderful time of the year and many believe it signifies a time of new beginnings. Wrap up warm, grab a buddy and get outdoors for a walk. There are plenty of walkways, country lanes and forests around the country for you to enjoy. Click through for some of the most beautiful walks in Ireland and for my favourite places to have picnics.

Stay Hydrated

As the evenings get longer and warmer, you might be enjoying a few drinks at home with your \”bubble\”. For every alcoholic drink, have a glass of water. It’s not a difficult concept to understand, yet only a few people pay attention to the advice. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes us to pee more frequently which can lead to dehydration. Sipping on water will help you to stay hydrated and limit the dreaded hangover symptoms. Dioralyte is a re-hydration treatment that can be taken before bed to help replace lost water and salts.

For meal inspiration and ideas, follow The Baking Nutritionist on Facebook and Instagram .

Amy Meegan, BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition, UCD