Have the chocolate and eat it too…
Written by Kristen Demedio of Seed Nutrition
The Easter long weekend is a time of celebration, tradition, and of course, plenty of food.
From chocolate eggs to hot cross buns, navigating the ‘Easter Eating’ may feel difficult, especially if you've struggled with diet rules or food guilt in the past. But could there be another way …?
The research on the healthiest communities around the world tells us that feasting and celebrations are a key component of longevity, health and wellness. It is the coming together as a community and the joy of sharing a meal that shapes our sense of connection, purpose and belonging.
If you have struggled with your relationship with food or your body, consider if these ideas might offer some peace or comfort this Easter?
Explore “Intuitive Eating”
Tune into your body’s appetite signals to allow all foods without guilt, restriction or compensation. Some of the principles of Intuitive Eating include:
Give unconditional permission to eat all foods. That includes the chocolate. Dismantling food rules can bring greater peace and balance with eating.
Honour your appetite – Pay attention to your body’s signals for hunger and fullness. Before eating, take the time to check in with your body and ask yourself a few probing questions. For example, How hungry am I? What food would satisfy me?
Mindfully enjoy the foods you desire. Slow down and savour the foods- pay attention to all the different sensory elements for example, taste, smell and texture. Avoid multi-tasking and switch off any distractions so you can maximise the enjoyment of your meal and notice when you feel satisfied.
Skip the Guilt or Regret
If you find that you have over-eaten, skip the guilt or regret, remember that you have enjoyed a special meal with friends, and just wait until you feel hungry before eating again.
Take time for Self Care
It is very easy to become derailed by the change in routine. Stay connected with the habits that keep you feeling balanced. Some of these might be:
Movement – This doesn’t have to mean intense gym workouts if that’s not your style. Instead, it is finding time for daily movement that makes you feel good.
Permission to rest – prioritise good quality sleep and recovery. This can be a chance to catch your breath as the full pace of the year is now underway.
The company you keep – Keep time for the people who nourish your soul (and this might just be a little alone time as well)
Filter out negative influences – you might like to take a break from social media for a few days, unfollow any social media accounts championing diet culture or disengage from any unhelpful diet chatter at the table
Easter is a celebration—and food is meant to be part of that joy. Intuitive eating invites you to show up fully, free from restriction, and in tune with your own body’s wisdom.
This year, let Easter be about connection, compassion, and enjoyment, not food rules.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter season.