Eyes bigger than your stomach these days? It’s natural for a person’s appetite to go down a few notches as the weather heats up. Respect your appetite by leaving the heavy food behind and going for lighter fare. Lots of salads and plenty of fresh fruit is more balancing during the warm spring season. And if both the early spring weather and the Met service predictions are reliable, it’s going to be a long, hot summer, so get your body ready now to stand up to the heat and dryness.

The key is to think “fresh and light”, and to choose fresh foods rich in nutrients and hydration. Soon to make an appearance at your local fruit shop are locally grown berries of all shapes, colours and sizes. Their juicy goodness makes them great examples of healthy summer food. New research has found that the pigments in these colourful fruits can also give some sun protection. We’re not saying to abandon the sunscreen, but it gives you another excuse to gorge on fresh berries!

If the onset of summer sees you sniffling and reaching for the anti-histamine tablets, try some of these tips to keep that nose from running away on you!

- Reduce the proportion of grains in your diet and eat more salads and fresh veges to replace them. The main grains to avoid are wheat and rye, as these are types of grasses that promote allergies. Try basmati rice or quinoa dishes instead of a sandwich.

- Use skincare and cleaning products with fewer synthetic ingredients and artificial fragrances. Those ingredients cause low-level inflammation of the respiratory tract and make hayfever symptoms worse. Instead of the normal chemical moisturizers and lotions, try keeping your skin beautiful with a daily rub of plain sesame oil or coconut oil.
- Reduce your stress levels by gathering the support of others around you.