06 Mar How Do You Avoid Easter Weight Gain?
If you’re keen to avoid gaining weight this Easter, we’re here to share the practical strategies you need to succeed. With an abundance of chocolate and hot cross buns to contend with, sticking to a healthy routine may well be more challenging than usual. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to enjoy Easter in a healthy, balanced way.
THE TRUTH ABOUT EASTER WEIGHT GAIN
Holiday weekends like Easter can be challenging for those working to manage their weight. Time off work with family and friends and occasions that centre around food and treats can be difficult to navigate. Enjoying one chocolate Easter egg or a big family dinner certainly isn’t the end of the world. Everyone deserves to enjoy the odd treat. But problems can occur if the Bank Holiday weekend extended to days of indulgence or leads to a more prolonged change in habits.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to make your Easter celebrations healthier. So let’s discuss them…
CHOOSE A HEALTHIER EASTER EGG
Most Easter eggs contain significant amounts of sugar. Cadbury Mini Eggs, for example, are over two thirds sugar containing 69g per 100g. This means that a moderately sized 80g bag contains the equivalent of 55g (or 14 teaspoons) of sugar.
If family and friends want to buy chocolate for you, put in a request for a healthier chocolate egg. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the less room there is for sugar. Aim for a high percentage of cacao – over 70%. Or, if you’d rather avoid chocolate altogether, there are some lovely spring flowers around at this time of year.
For some nutritionist-approved options, here’s a guide to the healthiest Easter eggs in Evening Standard.
MODERATE PORTIONS
Don’t be tempted to eat too much at once with the intention of getting rid of the chocolate sooner. Instead, break it down into moderate portion sizes which will have less of an impact on your blood sugar level. It’s healthier all round, both for your body and mindset. Have a small amount of chocolate more regularly rather than binge eating it all in one go. And if you do want to get it gone, don’t feel guilty about giving it away or donating it to a food bank via your local supermarket.
PLAN YOUR EASTER AHEAD
Ensure you have plenty of your usual healthy foods to hand so that you don’t end up hungry and on the hunt for the nearest open pack of Mini Eggs. It’s also worth saving Easter eggs for dessert. Eating chocolate on an empty stomach spikes blood sugar levels. Have yours after a protein and veg-based meal which will minimise it’s negative effects on your energy levels and your weight.
EAT MINDFULLY
Make sure your decision to eat chocolate or Easter treats is a conscious one. Are you really going to enjoy it? Or are you just eating it because it’s there? If you’re likely to find yourself mindlessly picking away at treats left out on the side, wrap them back up and put them on a top shelf of a cupboard, or somewhere else out of the way.
For more on mindful eating, take a look at these 5 Mindful Eating Tips.
ENJOY IT
Even the healthiest people eat treats (and don’t forget that high quality, dark chocolate has health benefits). They just go back to eating normally afterwards rather than letting it be the start of a downward spiral. Enjoy the chocolate you do eat and get back to your usual healthy routine as soon as the celebrations are over.
WORK WITH US
If you know you’ll find Easter a challenge because maintaining a healthy balance is a struggle for you, we can help. As a nutritionist-led weight loss clinic, we help our clients overcome the challenges that prevent them from maintaining a weight they are happy at. Whether that’s an underlying health issue, lack of clarity as to the best diet for them, or struggling to consistently prioritise a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you’d like to find out more about working with us, please get in touch. We would be happy to arrange a complimentary call to discuss how we can help you.
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