Healthy Easter Alternatives

Healthy alternatives this Easter...

With Easter fast approaching, everyone starts to think about that friendly little animal; the Easter Bunny, delivering copious amounts of chocolate that has to be devoured as quickly as possible so it stops staring at you from the kitchen cupboard!

But with summer just around the corner, the last thing you want to do is gain weight over Easter, just as the lighter clothing comes out of the wardrobe.

We have come up with some treats and tips so that you can have fun this Easter without the guilt.

Carob, healthier and as yummy as chocolate for all the family

Carob can be used as a chocolate alternative as it has many health benefits such as being rich in antioxidants and insoluble fibre to help support a healthy level of cholesterol. Carob also contains half the amount of fat found in chocolate and is a third of the amount of calories. Don’t forget the pets too; carob is a great treat for dogs. Carob does not contain theobromine which is found in chocolate and poisonous to dogs.

Xylitol, sweet as sugar without the weight gain

Xylitol is a natural sugar found in plants that is low in calories, does not affect insulin levels and healthy for your teeth. Therefore it is worthwhile looking for chocolate that contains xylitol rather than sugar or making your own sweet snacks by using xylitol to sweeten them.

This way you can cut your calories and you won’t be disrupting your blood sugar levels so much. You are therefore less likely to store fat around your tummy area.

Chromium, to reduce those sugar cravings

If you really want to resist the chocolate and even the healthier alternatives try getting chromium into your diet. Chromium is a mineral that is classed as having a ‘Glucose tolerance factor’ (GTF), this basically means that it helps balance your blood sugar levels.

Therefore, people choose to take this when their energy levels are low or they are having sugar cravings as it helps maintain a healthy insulin response.

Cinnamon, flavoursome and keeping you fuller for longer

A sprinkling of cinnamon in yoghurt, porridge or over fruit and nuts should improve glucose uptake and a healthy insulin response. You could try to make a chai tea containing cinnamon and ginger to sip throughout the day of the Easter egg hunt to aim at reducing your sweet tooth cravings.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Niacin supports a healthy blood sugar response, therefore people tend to take this after having lunch, to reduce the chance of them having an energy slump in the afternoon and reaching for a bar of chocolate.

Have a healthy week.