Part 2: How to control your cravings this Easter

In Part 1 we looked at what causes cravings and how you can control them. Today you’ll be happy to know that there’s no need to give up chocolate eggs and hot-cross buns to stay healthy over the Easter long weekend. Just follow these tips to help you control your cravings without missing out on all the fun.

Start your day with eggs
Eating sweet foods for breakfast will simply set you up for a day of cravings, so choose protein-rich food to keep you feeling full and satisfied.  Eggs are an ideal breakfast food – just don’t choose the chocolate kind!

Pick a day
Choose one day over the Easter weekend to indulge. That way you’ll look forward to it and value it more, and enjoy not having eaten all the extra calories on the other days.

Make it count
When you do eat something sweet, make it feel like a true indulgence and rather have a small Easter egg made from quality chocolate with a high cocoa content, than a huge one made of cheap, sugary chocolate.

Give up the guilt trip
Don’t let yourself feel guilty if you happen to eat a chocolate egg. Just eat healthily and once Easter’s over, you can get back to your weight loss plan.

Keep up your exercise
Try to keep up your exercise over the long weekend, even if it’s just a light jog, swimming or playing outside with the kids. You’ll be glad you did once the weekend’s over.

Only buy what you need
If it’s just you at home, there’s no need to buy the 6-pack of hot cross buns, unless of course you plan on eating them all! If there are extra treats lying around the kitchen, you will more than likely eat them because they are there. If you don’t want to be tempted, don’t buy them.

Shift your focus
Rather than focussing on the chocolate and the food, use the long weekend to reconnect and spend time with family and friends.

Make your own Easter treats!

Store bought Easter eggs generally pack a mean punch when it comes to sugar content. Make your own diet-friendly chocolate marshmallow treats to enjoy when the craving strikes!

Ingredients:

• 1 big slab of 75% or 85% Lindt chocolate
• 1 packet of marshmallows
• Toothpicks

Directions:

• Break the dark chocolate into small pieces.
• Melt over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
• Stick a toothpick in each marshmallow.
• Dip the marshmallow in the melted chocolate (it’s up to you how much chocolate covering you want).
• Place on waxed paper and put in the fridge to set.
• Decorate if desired, or enjoy as is!