Happy, Healthy Easter

Beat the Buns this Easter. There is definitely an Easter pun there about buns adding to your buns... But it's almost too easy!

Terrible puns aside... I'm really looking forward to Easter. I can’t wait to be curled up by a warm fireplace in the country, with a cup of tea and toasted hot cross buns. To me this is the ultimate comfort! Of course there will be a few sneaky chocolate eggs as well!

However, as with all indulgences it’s important to still keep your diet goals in mind. If you are wise about what you put into your body over the weekend you will feel much better next week! 

Here are a few healthier alternatives to help minimize the Easter damage on your body!

Spelt Hot Cross Buns

These are a yummy and slightly healthier variety of bun for Easter. Spelt is a whole grain, non wheat flour that has fewer calories than wheat flour and more protein. It has a broad spectrum of nutrients including complex carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more. The combination of high fiber and low, fragile gluten content in spelt make it much easier to digest than modern, common wheat so it's a better choice than your normal buns. 

I also use Nuttelex Lite instead of butter. It has 38% less fat than butter or margarine and is free from dairy, nut and oils, gluten, soy and artificial additives.

Delicious and guilt free!

Dark Chocolate

We’ve been hearing about the benefits of dark chocolate for a while now and it does make a more nutritious alternative to milk chocolate. Here is a quick over view on why it's such a buzz food.

Although the amount of calories are pretty similar to milk chocolate, dark chocolate has significantly less carbohydrates and contains chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health including a chemical called phenylethylamine which is what your brain creates when you're falling in love. And that's the BEST feeling!

Dark chocolate is also stocked with vitamins and minerals such as potassium, copper, magnesium and iron that support your health. It’s loaded with antioxidants which help rid your body of free radicals and has a low glycemic index so it won't cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels.

There are lots of raw dark chocolate products available now which are the best option when you need that loving cacao fix!

My favourites are Pana chocolate and Loving Earth raw chocolate, which both come in lots of delicious and interesting flavours!

http://www.panachocolate.com/

https://lovingearth.net/

Another alternative if you’re wanting a sweet snack over Easter is to get some nuts or dried fruit that are coated in dark chocolate.  

I’ve got a particular sweet spot for chocolate covered goji berries and macadamias! It’s still a pretty naughty treat but has more goodness than Cadbury eggs! 

So enjoy and indulge over Easter, but remember to try and be mindful about what you putting in your body; having some healthier choices available means there is at least a 50/50 chance you will pick them. Or maybe 70/30.. It IS Easter after all ;) haha

Love JH xxx