How to Stay Healthy over Easter
Easter is up there with Christmas and Halloween as a holiday with a lot of sweet temptations which may see even the most healthy person over indulge in the hard-to-resist array of chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies and other treats on offer. And oh, did I mention all the chocolate?
But it can be easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not end up in a sugar-induced coma followed by accompanying hangover and remorse with these few tips:
Preparation is key.
Ideally, how would you like Easter to go? Do you want to avoid sweet treats altogether? If so, why? Do you want to indulge in healthier options and keep your sweet tooth in check? If so, why? What fears, if any, are coming up for you (fear of missing out, fear of being judged for your choices, fear of not trusting yourself to not over indulge etc)? Knowing what you want, knowing why you want it and knowing what fears may arise puts you in a place of control and helps with keeping you accountable.
Know your potential pitfalls.
Are there any situations that will likely cause problems? Are there loads of chocolates everywhere you look in your office? Are you attending a family gathering where you may be faced with some peer pressure to eat things you don’t want to? Do you live with people who aren’t as health conscious as you and so there will be more temptation on hand? Knowing what the potential hazards again puts you in control.
At home
If you find it hard resisting sweet treats when they are in front of you, don’t get them in the first place (way harsh, I know!). Or if you have to have them around the house for other people, keep them out of view (out of sight out of mind?). If you’ve got the Easter eggs, chocolates or hot cross buns etc on tables or counter tops it’ll be easier to give in to temptation and/or eat mindlessly.
In the office
The office definitely used to be my downfall. The sweets at reception calling out to me so I’d end up making excuses to go out there throughout the day (‘I’ve ran out of envelopes’, ‘do you have any paperclips?’, ‘has the post been delivered yet?’ – the sugar monster in me was shameless) and sure while I was passing by I may as well have, ahem, ‘one more’ little treat. The best defence in this scenario is offence. Go to work with your own healthy treats or even better yet, bring some in for all the office to share. If you don’t feel deprived you are better equipped to turn down the junk on offer. Keeping hydrated and having proper meals will also help regulate blood sugar levels and hopefully reduce the afternoon slump and cravings that can have you caving.
Alternative Easter Gifts
Instead of opting for the chocolate Easter eggs, maybe you can ask other people to get you alternative Easter gifts such as flowers, a candle, herbal teas or a donation to your favourite charity for example. I love the idea of doing up Easter baskets of wellbeing treats. This can be a great idea for kids too with the basket being filled with art supplies, books, games etc.
Healthier Easter Treats
So if you do want to indulge in some treats there are loads of healthy options to choose from. Maybe get some really luxurious expensive dark chocolate. Nobody said that chocolate had to be off limits!!! Really good quality dark chocolate has less sugar and tends to be richer so you tend to eat less of it especially if you eat it mindfully and savour every bite. Raw cacao is a great option also (e.g. cacao eggs, cacao covered mulberries, chocolate avocado mousse). Or what about dark chocolate covered organic nuts?
And if you don’t fancy or can’t have chocolate there are many other options too. There are loads of lovely healthy desserts and you can make your own easter eggs from things like carob or even coconut milk or yogurt.
Photo: Instagram @ahealthyhappyglow
Don’t Stress It
When you are overstressed, that’s when you are normally more likely to cave into cravings and over indulge in less healthy choices. Check in with yourself on whether you are stressed (family gatherings, work deadlines, social pressures etc) and see if there are ways you can de-stress that don’t include food. A bath, a manicure, a hug, going for a walk, a meditation, letting go of the ‘shoulds’ and the need to be perfect etc. Be kind to yourself!
I’d love to know your tips for staying healthy this Easter or your favourite healthy Easter treats.
Hope you have a lovely one!
A Healthy Happy Glow 