Easter is celebrated across all denominations of Christianity, and can include different times of fasting, feasting, and abstinence from meat during the season of Lent and Holy Week. Remember Calibrate members, holidays don’t have to derail your progress, or even interfere. We’re sharing some tips to help support you as you navigate the food pillar during Holy Week. Let’s dig in:
Leading Up to Easter
- Lean into Lent: Consider using the Lenten season as a way to grow within your food goal by cutting out something that seems to be impeding your progress. Can’t seem to ditch sugary sodas? Unable to say goodbye to coffee creamer? Try making that the thing you give up for Lent. The added spiritual factor might give you the extra push you need to remove that item from your day to day for good. The added strength in your faith could simultaneously help propel your success on Calibrate.
- Prioritize protein: If you abstain from eating meat during any portion of Lent or Holy Week (such as Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday), fill your daily meals with other animal-based sources of protein, including seafood, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk. Or try a plant-based protein, such as nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, and even quinoa.
- BYO fish fry side: If your parish participates in a community fish fry, bring yourself a side dish you can feel good about (beyond the standard macaroni or potato salad and french fries). Think easy roasted cauliflower or carrots, or even a slaw. Also, if given the choice, opt for the baked fish versus fried. But remember: It’s always okay to prioritize meaningful or religious food choices. Just return to your normal the next day. Consistency is way more important than perfection.
- Follow fasting with protein, fiber, and fat: Some denominations follow fasting rules on certain holy days like Ash Wednesday or Good Friday (or even during the entirety of Lent). If your faith permits one full meal on these days, be sure it’s one that’s well balanced and packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fat. This is doubly important because fast-digesting carbohydrates on an empty stomach will flood your body with glucose, causing an overproduction of insulin leading to weight gain and energy loss. If you fast for longer, try to avoid eating too much, too fast: Instead, ease back in with a small, light portion before jumping into a big meal.
- Hydrate while fasting: Don’t forget to drink water throughout the day if your faith allows drinking while fasting. To keep your insulin levels low, now is the time to really focus on sugar-free beverages. If you feel the need for something sweet, remember to opt for a calorie-free natural sweetener (like Stevia or monk fruit) in small quantities. Calorie-free artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, which is found in Diet soda), increase your cravings and have a negative effect on your microbiome and metabolic health.
Easter Sunday
- Ease off of Lent: If you gave up something food-related for the Lenten season, ease back into eating or drinking it again. For example, if you gave up chocolate or sugary sodas, you can allow yourself one to celebrate your 40-day devotion during the 40-day period. But take note: Your tastebuds (and habits) may have changed over the 40-day period, and a soda may now seem too sweet. Listen to your body instead of overindulging on something just because it was previously a huge part of your day-to-day life.
- Snack smart. Whether you’re hosting or attending an Easter brunch or celebration, plan to have a healthy protein-packed snack beforehand so you don’t find yourself making less than ideal food choices out of hunger. It can be as simple as fruit and almond butter, or even some nuts and cheese.
- Avoid the candy crush: Easter has become synonymous with sugar: This year alone, Americans are expected to spend more than $20 billion on food this Easter, with the majority being candy (like adorable chocolate bunnies, candy eggs, and marshmallow chicks). Save the sweets for the little ones and instead, allow yourself a bite of a homemade dessert, which is likely more sentimental.
- Fill your plate once. Add a mixture of foods to give your body a variety of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and stick to just that. Once you’re done, wait about 20 minutes to allow your stomach to signal to your brain whether or not you are full. If you’re truly still physically hungry (Is your stomach still rumbling?), go back for a small second helping.
- Follow “mostly good”: Allow yourself to celebrate Easter with the traditional foods you love (like lamb or potatoes). Remember: At Calibrate, nothing is entirely off limits and the culmination of this season is the perfect time to remind yourself exactly why you celebrate.
- Stretch your legs. Depending on where you live, Easter can bring with it spring weather. Take some time after your meal to go for a walk or spend some time outside.
- Give yourself grace: If you’re hosting, show yourself some kindness. Cooking a big meal with lots of people can be stressful: Know your boundaries and set yourself up for success by planning and prepping what you can ahead of time.
Happy Easter!