Hop Into Healthy Habits This Easter
Easter is almost upon us. That means family get-togethers, big meals, and LOTS of candy. If you’re like most of the people in the US, you have a sweet tooth. A recent poll found that “about three-quarters (73%) [of the people polled] say they’re likely to give into their sweet tooth” on any given day. If that’s true for a normal day, then holidays where sugary treats are ubiquitous are even more tempting!
Easter candy has been in stores since Valentine’s Day. That has given us lots of opportunities to indulge in chocolate bunnies, Cadbury eggs, and other treats that come around only once a year.
So as we approach this holiday, we want to share some tips that will help you combat the desire to eat too many sweets.
Enjoy in moderation
Unless you have a medical condition forbidding it, it’s okay to eat candy. But doing so in moderation is key. Instead of raiding your children’s Easter basket and eating handfuls of candy, choose three or four small pieces and enjoy those during different times of the day. Additionally, resist the urge to buy discounted candy the day after Easter.
Share the purchasing of candy with friends or family
If you’re like me, you buy way too much candy at Easter. Everyone has favorites, and you want to make sure that each family member can enjoy what they like, but that results in LOTS of extra candy. One year, my neighbor and I each bought a few bags and traded the contents, allowing each child to have what they like but leaving little left over for late-night snacks. This was the perfect solution so that we did not have candy lurking in our cabinets for weeks after Easter.
Add an extra walk on the days you eat sweets
If you know that you will spend the day enjoying a large meal and lots of treats with family or friends, make it a point to go on a walk first thing in the morning and then again after dinner. This will help you burn those extra calories.
Don’t let one day of eating too much discourage you
Have you ever thought: “Well, I indulged too much, so I may as well throw my [diet, healthy eating habit] out the door”? It’s tempting to feel that once you have eaten a lot, you should continue indulging because you have already ruined your routine. But no diet or healthy living routine is ruined in one day. Admit that you overdid it and get back on the proverbial horse by teaching yourself when to stop. Once you feel full, find a way to extract yourself from the table or the tray of sweets. Go for a walk, entice people with a board game, or go outside for a pickup game of basketball.
Replace traditional sweets with a healthier option
There are no rules that say you have to have chocolate cake or tons of candy for dessert on Easter. You can still satiate that sweet tooth with a slightly healthier option like angel food cake and some fresh strawberries or blueberries on top.
Drink a large glass of water before a big meal
WebMD explains that “water revs up metabolism and helps you feel full” so it’s a good idea to “drink a glass before meals to help you feel fuller.” It can’t hurt, and we all need water to stay hydrated and maintain healthy body functions, like nourishing our skin, boosting energy, and reducing the risk of kidney stones. So as you look around the table at all the delicious foods, stop your hungry stomach in its tracks and start off with a large glass of water.
Limit alcohol
It’s normal to want to indulge in some alcoholic drinks when with family or friends, but remember that these drinks have lots of empty calories. The average beer has about 150 calories. Light beers of course have fewer. The average 5 oz. glass of wine has between 120 and 130 calories. Mixed drinks vary depending on what you put into them. Adding juices and anything with cream will increase the calorie count. For example, a White Russian has a whopping 568 calories. So if you want to enjoy a drink with friends, do so responsibly and in moderation, and drink water in between.
Easter is a time to celebrate while enjoying food, friends, family, and tasty treats that you don’t normally have. Though it’s okay to indulge a bit, do so in moderation, and don’t give up on your long-term healthy habits. Implementing the practices above will help you feel much healthier, both mentally and physically.
With smart choices and support from clean, effective supplements like those from Performance Inspired Nutrition, you can stay on track without missing out on the holiday fun!
