Easter Holiday Healthy Eating

As a holiday approaches, those who are gluten intolerant or those trying to avoid a particular food group, often begin to feel the stress of how to enjoy themselves, without sabotaging their health. We understand this difficulty, so wanted to give you some tips for the upcoming Easter Holiday.

It seems like most American holidays involve lots of sugar and goodness known, Easter is no different. Even if you don’t celebrate Easter, it’s hard to avoid all the chocolate bunnies and other assorted Easter candy. And if you have little ones at home or a co-worker with a sweet tooth, it can seem all but impossible!

Fear not. Try this:

The basic of food is that its fuel for the body. Good fuel makes you feel energetic, clear-headed, and happy. Bad food may taste good in your mouth, but it typically results in feelings of bloating, overstuffed, drops in energy, fuzzy thinking, and cravings for more bad food.

When you put it like that it seems so simple, I know.

In order to truly and healthfully fuel the body, begin with the healthiest foods and eat them first, especially on a holiday.

Tips to Survive any Holiday

Tip #1 – Start your Holiday with an uber-healthy breakfast such as a green smoothie or tofu scramble. Promise yourself that you’ll have a large healthy breakfast that fills you up.

Tip #2 – Do not, I repeat do not, have foods around your house you cannot or should not eat. If the kids bring home chocolate, allow them a small amount (if that is allowed based on their health status) and then get it out of the house.

Tip #3 – Make some “treats” for yourself that is closest to the desserts or meals you will most miss for the particular holiday you’re celebrating. As an example, I love chocolate, so for me, having healthy chocolate (cacao to be precise) dessert on hand will keep me happy and not deprived. See our healthy no-bake chocolate brownies and chocolate bark recipes for a healthy chocolate “fix”. And if those aren’t to your liking there are about a dozen more dessert options right here.

If you’re missing creamy mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese, we have you covered there as well!

Tip #4 – if you’re traveling to a friend’s or family member’s home and you’re fairly sure they won’t have food that accommodates you, consider bringing something for yourself (or enough for everyone!) or eating before you go.

Eating before you go is an excellent strategy for a number of reasons. You will arrive satisfied and can then easily pick and choose what is best for you to eat. Also, when you’re already full, the temptation is much easier to avoid.

Tip #5 – have healthy foods on hand for when you return home and for the day following the Holiday. If you’ve prepared some healthy options, even if you did get a bit tempted on the day of the Holiday, it will be easy to get right back on your healthy eating plan.

Some suggestions:

Bean Chili

Quick and easy vegetable soup

Lentil soup with coconut and a kick

The goal is to eat the healthiest foods to avoid falling into the trap of continuing to eat poorly if that’s what occurred over the holiday.

What are the healthiest foods/activities to target?

1. Organic fruits and vegetables
2. Beans, legumes
3. Nuts and seeds
4. Plenty of water
5. Exercise

You truly can have fun over a Holiday while still remaining healthy and feeling great.