Taking Tips from the Easter Bunny

The holidays are a good justification for over-indulgence, and even some “light” recipes can set you back a few extra hundred calories. My two cents on the Easter holiday is this – keep it colorful, keep it green, keep Spring in mind. It’s very easy to overlook this during Christmas and the Winter holidays. We are all snuggled up in sweats with family, a little less aware of the extra body fat keeping us warm as we sip our egg nog by the fire. However, Easter brings the signs of warmer weather, less clothing, and summer holidays to follow. Why hold yourself back with sweets and heavy foods this holiday knowing we’re only a few weeks away from showing off those legs and arms? Even minor tweaks in your family style Easter dinner can help your waistline and keep you guilt free.

The bunny has the right idea- why not swap out one of those potato side dishes for another vegetable? Like I mentioned earlier, my rule of thumb is the more color on the plate the better. Some healthy and delicious choices:

•  Glazed mini carrots: A simple and easy way to eat the basic Easter bunny staple. Try to stay away from brown sugar when sweetening, stick to honey and lemon juice. You can also add parsley for an extra spice and color. If you feel compelled to use butter, try and stick to 2 teaspoons or less.
• Green beans and slivered almonds: Always my holiday go-to. It’s easy to make and always a hit. Simply add a small amount of olive oil to the beans and some garlic, bake and serve with slivered almonds for texture and healthy taste.

A few other considerations when cooking and baking your feast:

•  Easter eggs!! : As mentioned in previous posts, eggs are a powerhouse of protein and nutritional benefits. Easter is the perfect time to take advantage of those freshly dyed eggs. Try making a healthy alternative to the deviled egg by swapping the mayo for plain yogurt. You can also use sliced hard-boiled eggs with tomato as an appetizer.
•   Keep the main course the focus. Stay clear of the enormous amounts of cheese and crackers, dips, and spreads. There is no reason to fill yourself up on these empty calories before the meal even begins.
•  When cooking try to swap the salt or sugar for herbs and spices. You can avoid salt by using fresh parsley or thyme. Honey makes for a good baking substitute as well as nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange/lemon zest.
•  Trade the butter lamb for avocado slices. It’s unique, and a prominent calorie and saturated fat saver. Avocados have the same consistency as the butter and can be used as spread, while incorporating the super food’s healthy fats and oil benefits.
• Try to purchase an uncured and unprocessed ham. As you know, I am not a meat eater, but I do know that spending a few extra bills on a quality meat can be both healthy and beneficial to your heart.
•  Is your table still lacking a carb? Try a sweet potato casserole instead of the traditional heavy cream based, white potato. The sweet potato is packed full of nutrients such as vitamin C, D, and B6, while remaining lower calorie.
• The dessert spread may be unavoidable, and could leave many guests cranky and unsatisfied if the dessert option isn’t there. Like I said, try to substitute sugar whenever possible, and add a fresh fruit mix. Chew a piece of gum or have a peppermint when the dinner is over, and you'll feel less compelled to reach for the sweets.

 For many it's near impossible to create a completely clean holiday dinner for guests when some are not as health conscious as others. But, these minor tweaks can help everyone remain happy, satisfied, and grateful on this Easter Sunday.