The big white bunny is at it again!
Yes, it’s Easter, when many people look forward to indulging in chocolatey treats, celebrating their religious faith, and spending time with loved ones. However, it’s important to remember that a healthy, balanced approach to the long weekend can help us to avoid weight gain. In this article, we’ll explore tips and strategies to avoid packing on the kilos and ways to enjoy a happy, healthy, guilt-free Easter break.
Here are my 5 tips for a guilt-free Easter:
- Choose healthier Easter treats: Easter can be a time when we indulge in high-sugar and high-fat foods. And it’s no secret that overeating these foods can have negative effects on our health. Instead, try to choose healthier options that are low in sugar and unhealthy fats. My Wicked Chocolate Cake (Book 2) is a great option and is a chocolate treat without the high fats and can be made into individual serves (see MORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people). Make now and freeze, then allocate one per day.
- Practice portion control: It’s easy to overeat during the Easter holiday, so the key is to practice portion control when indulging in treats. Enjoy small amounts of Easter delights like chocolate and hot cross buns, and try to balance them with healthier options like fruits, salads and vegetables.
- Have fun: Rather than focusing on food, prioritise time with loved ones. I’ve included 8 fun family activities below that’ll help keep you out of the fridge and pantry and enjoying quality time instead.
- Stay active: Easter is a great time to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. Take a walk or go for a bike ride with family or friends. A game of cricket in the backyard or a table tennis challenge can really get your heart rate up and burn some extra calories. If you’re spending time indoors, try doing some light exercises or a YouTube workout to stay active.
- Stay hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re spending time outdoors or indulging in salty or sugary foods. Keep a water bottle with you and drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Your body can confuse thirst with hunger, so drink up!
Easter can be a busy time, so it’s important to prioritize rest and relaxation. Get enough sleep each night and take timeout to reduce stress and recharge your energy.
8 fun activities for the whole family
Take the focus off food and switch your focus to spending quality time with your loved ones. Here are 8 fun activities to get you started 😊
- Plan an Easter egg hunt with clues… I used to do this every year for my kids, and they had so much fun that when I decided to stop doing it, my youngest daughter was not impressed. I should mention she was 31 at the time! Yes 31 years old 😊
- Get the kids or grand-kids to plan a show or dance competition for the rest of the family – then Facetime other family members who are unable to join you for Easter.
- Plan a movie night complete with home cooked popcorn.
- Have a pizza and games night – Make your own pizzas (my Pizza Supreme recipe in Book 1 or Chicken Pizza in MORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people are great options). Drag out your board games and if you don’t have any board games, who doesn’t love a game of snap!
- Start a veggie garden or plant some seeds and if space is limited, plant them in pots. If you don’t have any seeds, see what you have in the fridge – tomatoes grow easily from seed.
- Do a cooking class with the kids, there are lots of easy recipes in my 9 cookbooks and some FREE RECIPES online so get them to pick a few they like and show them the joy of home cooking.
- Host a dance off or Karaoke competition. Go to YouTube and search ‘karaoke songs with lyrics’ to get some inspiration. Save a playlist or pick a ‘best of’ list that plays for an hour.
- Unplug from the world for a few hours and get back to basics. Teach the kids a new card game, my older grand-kids love Skip-Bo and 5 Crowns. Play hopscotch or hide and seek, or help them build a blanket cubby house. You can also use this time to read a good novel, search your favourite authors to see if they have a new release.
A final word on a guilt-free Easter
There are so many guilt-free ways to enjoy Easter without compromising your health and well-being. From including healthy, low fat foods in your celebration to getting active outdoors and spending quality time with loved ones, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Remember to practice moderation when it comes to indulging in Easter treats throughout the long weekend. By following the tips and strategies set out above, you can have a truly joyful and guilt-free Easter celebration that leaves you feeling refreshed, energized, and happy when Monday comes around.