At the supermarket the other day I was looking at all the Easter stuff available to buy and, even though I wouldn’t choose to eat those chocolates or hot cross buns, I felt as if I was missing out.
But I quickly reminded myself I have many other healthier choices available to me.
I have spent years fine tuning my thoughts around food, but my mind can still be influenced by marketing. I’m only human! Over time it does get easier to make better choices and when we can make more informed choices the feeling of missing out subsides, and we’re left feeling empowered.
Here are some of the questions I like to ask myself while shopping:
Am I choosing real chocolate or confectionary chocolate?
What flour and oils are they using to make hot cross buns?
Are the ingredients natural with limited or no preservatives/numbers?
Are they ethical and sustainable for the environment?
So many of us stress out because we feel we’re going to miss out when it comes to Easter treats like chocolate and hot cross buns in order to be healthy.
But I’m here to give you some alternatives so you can make informed choices for yourself this Easter that will leave you feeling your best.
Here’s what to avoid and choose when it comes to chocolate, hot cross buns, and socialising.
Chocolate:
Avoid
Cocoa mass (low magnesium)
Vegetable fats (palm oil)
Milk solids
Sugar
Choose
Raw cacao (high magnesium)
Raw cacao (high magnesium)
Cacao butter
Mylk alternatives (cashew, oat)
Coconut nectar/sugar
Hot cross buns:
Avoid
Chain stores
Vegetable/ Canola oil
White flour
Gluten free flour (corn based)
Preservatives/Numbers
Choose
Farmers markets/ local bakery products.
Olive oil
Spelt/Rye
Buckwheat, Almond, Rice (GF flours)
Natural ingredients
Social occasions:
Avoid
Overindulging at every meal
Creating a busy schedule
Sitting all day
Choose
Pace yourself with food and alcohol.
Balance social events with rest
Be active with friends and family.
The main idea is to choose quality over quantity where possible, and the brands that I would recommend are:
Healthy Bake
Ancient Grains
Coles or Lifestyle (Foodland) GF hot cross buns (the best choice if you need GF)
Pana Chocolate
Loving Earth
Nomo
So much of diet culture tells us to deprive ourselves and it leaves us feeling like we’re missing out. But with just a little bit of information at our fingertips, we can make better and informed choices that leave us feeling healthier and not missing out on any of the fun.
To your health and wellness
Marianne x