Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – As you’re preparing your Easter dinner this weekend, you might want to think about the healthiness of the sides you serve.

Even an all-time favorite (at least for this story’s author): potato salad.

“One of the things we really focus on is making sure that all of our dishes are well-balanced.  Sure, throw in some chopped eggs, put in some other protein things.  You could totally have potato salad as a meal,” said Erin Zepp, Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Coordinator, Memorial Wellness Center.

Zepp hosts classes at the Memorial Wellness Center on making the meals and snacks you eat better for you.  But even she admits that can be difficult for some to do.

“One of the main things that people struggle with is just coming up with the idea.  There’s a lot of planning and preparation and thought that has to go into what you might call a ‘square meal.'”

Zepp says additional proteins, vegetable — especially colorful ones — can help quite easily.

While it’s not in time for Easter, a class Zepp is hosting at the Memorial Wellness Center looks at making side dishes for any meal healthier.

Find out details on the “Spring Side Dishes” here in this podcast from the WTAX Morning Newswatch.