Five Actions You Can Take to Make Your Easter a Healthy One

When you think of Easter, do you groan at the thought of the kids gorging themselves on handfuls of candy? If you or your family members are overweight, consider making a change that will give everyone a chance at being more healthy. Instead of lecturing your family, make changes that won't feel drastic but will help get you all moving in the right direction.

Fill Easter baskets mostly with presents. Pile the baskets high with things that are fun but useful, such as sandals, sunglasses, bubbles, goggles, bug-catching toys, decks of cards, and jump ropes. Try to think of gifts that will encourage the kids to be active or at least to stay away from the television and computer.

Choose candy carefully. Instead of eliminating candy altogether from the basket, place a few really good pieces of something indulgent, like a couple truffles from a chocolate shop or some Jelly Belly jelly beans. Don't let the kids down the candy all at once; have them guess at jelly bean flavors and tell you about the inside of the special chocololates, teaching them to savor treats.

Reduce calories in the menu. Cook up a lean ham, and don't offer huge slices of it. Identify and remove from the menu the least healthy of the traditional Easter menu items such as twice-baked potatoes, dinner rolls, and that high-fat, high-calorie green bean casserole dish. Instead of the unhealthy side dishes, serve a fresh steamed vegetable, a green salad, some sort of fresh fruit such as grapes or pineapple, and halved baked potatoes. Instead of cheesecake for dessert, serve a fresh strawberry pie or a peach cobbler with oatmeal topping.

Plan out fun but active things to do during the celebration. Do a traditional egg hunt either outside or in your house. Plan a family walk either to a park or to a pleasant location. Plan an active game like hide and go seek or some sort of challenge course.

Color Easter eggs. Eat the hard boiled eggs plain, without fattening them up with mayonaise. Coloring eggs will stimulate creativity.

Remember, the best gift you can give your family is the gift of health.

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Tags: Health / Fitness