How to Enjoy Your Easter Treats, According to Sanitarium Dietitian Rachel Moore

For some, Easter celebrations can bring up unwanted feelings of concern and guilt when it comes to treat foods. However, it’s normal for our eating habits to look a little different at this time.  

Food may be fuel, but it can be so much more than that. Embracing the role of good kai in our celebrations, continuing traditions, and socialising with loved ones is part of a healthy eating attitude and can be a real source of joy.  

Here are some things to keep in mind to enjoy Easter celebrations with a healthy and happy mindset:  

Avoid Labelling Food As Good Or Bad  

So often we are flooded with messages around what food types are good or bad, but the reality is a little more nuanced. Foods that we may have been taught to be wary of during celebrations can have positive health impacts too.

Chocolate Can Have Its Benefits 

Cocoa is the main ingredient in dark chocolate and it’s a rich source of antioxidants. Recent research has shown that a little dark chocolate can be good for you. A study published by the British Medical Journal found participants who regularly ate dark chocolate had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes – but the same pattern was not seen with milk chocolate. It was suggested these results could be due to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and insulin sensitivity improvements from the polyphenols and flavonoids - found in cocoa-rich dark chocolate. 

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Bring Easter Joy Into The Everyday  

There are ways to bring some Easter joy into our everyday health foods while still packing a nutritional punch. Try prepping some ‘Hot Cross Bun’ Overnight Weet-Bix to have ready for your weekend mornings or roll some Carrot Cake Bites to get some extra veggies and wholegrains.  

Encourage Our Tamariki To Eat Intuitively 

If you are celebrating Easter with some younger members of the whānau, this is a great opportunity to model healthy eating patterns. Make sure kids don’t feel judged or watched too closely while they are eating. For many, relationships with food can begin in childhood, so keeping the conversation positive and away from body weight can be a great way to set a good example.  

See The Bigger Picture  

At the end of the day, Easter is just one weekend out of the year, so avoid imposing lots of restrictions on yourself. Enjoy the quality time with loved ones and remember that it’s what you eat most of the time that counts.   

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