Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2005
Get through Easter with healthy eating
Advertiser News Services
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are not the only food-centric holidays. In fact, more than 70 percent of consumers plan to buy food specifically for Easter, according to the National Confectioners Association and the National Retail Federation.
Leslie Fink, a nutritionist at Weight Watchers.com, says it's important to plan for Easter just as you would any holiday that involves eating:
• Keep your mind on the spiritual significance and the nonfood traditions of the holiday, instead of obsessing over the Easter baskets and meals.
• You know sweets will be around, so plan for them.ÊSave calories elsewhere in the day for a small splurge. • Don't sit down to dinner on an empty stomach — you're more likely to overeat. Try snacking on colorful Easter eggs; one large egg has just 76 calories. And don't forget raw carrot sticks. • Nontraditional gifts (books, costume jewelry, CDs) are often more appreciated than the candy.
Learn more: Free nutrition and weight-loss information and recipes at www.weightwatchers.com.
Americans are expected to spend $1.18 billion on candy this Easter. More than 90 million chocolate bunnies, 2 million marshmallow chicks per day and 16 billion jelly beans will be produced for the occasion, the organizations report.
Cut up some carrots this Easter to cut down calories.
