The Complete 2-Day Fasting Diet: Delicious; Easy To Make; 140 New Low-Calorie Recipes From The Bestselling Author Of The 5:2 Bikini Diet. Jacqueline Whitehart

      Spring is all about hope. After a long winter of cold grey days, all you want is some sun and a few green shoots. You probably want to ring the changes when it comes to food too. Are you bored of stews and soups and crave something lighter and greener?

      You may find that you and your body are eager for transformation, but what about the weather? In March it may feel like the depths of winter, with snow still on the ground, but try to ignore the weather and listen to your body. Eat healthily, even on days when you are not dieting. Do some exercise: a gentle swim on any day of the week will re-invigorate you. Most importantly, if the sun does pop its head out, get outside and feel the sun on your face.

      Spring recipes embrace the change but also the vagaries of the season. There are not many seasonal vegetables available and it is traditionally ‘the hungry gap’. Try out some unusual salads, explore what’s in your storecupboard, and experiment with the vegetables that are in season. Purple sprouting broccoli is an amazingly tasty green vegetable. Available from late February, it has a lot more to offer than its more familiar cousin. Spring is also the time to enjoy some tender lamb – a lean lamb steak can easily be incorporated into a diet day.

      Let’s not get carried away and keep some soups and stews in reserve for the bleakest days. If you can keep a few portions of warming soups stocked in your freezer then you are fully prepared to face the challenges that spring can bring.

      Stock the freezer, count the daffodils and celebrate when the clocks change. It is a season of preparation. If you stick to the diet through the spring you’ll be ready and waiting for the beach.

      Menu plans for diet days

      Use these planners to inspire your cooking on diet days. It’s amazing how much good food you can eat for under 500–600 calories.

      Just work out whether you want three small meals/breakfast and dinner/lunch and dinner on your diet days and choose the right planner for you. If you need more help working out which plan is right for you have a look at What kind of dieter are you? (see here).

      Feel free to swap a recipe for another with a similar calorie content if necessary.

MENU PLANS FOR DIET DAYS: WOMEN (SPRING)

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