Easter is a beautiful time of year, the days are opening out, the flower beds are filling with colour and there is a sense of renewal in the air. For many of us, it’s also a time of gathering, celebrating, and perhaps a little indulging. But Easter doesn’t have to mean throwing healthy habits out the window. In fact, this season of new beginnings is the perfect opportunity to recommit to choices that support our health, animals and the planet.
Whether you’re planning a peaceful Easter or a weekend full of events, here are some practical (and feel-good) ways to feel a spring in your step over the long weekend.
A nourishing breakfast will help you to feel grounded and energised to start the day (wherever it goes after that!). Try a warming bowl of porridge or prep-ahead overnight oats topped with fresh seasonal fruits like berries, pears, or even rhubarb. Add flaxseeds or chia for extra omega-3s and fibre, and a dollop of nut butter for extra plant-based protein. Smoothies packed with greens and fruits are another great go-to; vibrant, nourishing, and easy to throw together whatever else is going on.
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday hustle and forget the basics… like drinking enough water. Staying hydrated supports digestion, energy levels, and even helps keep cravings in check. Keep a reusable bottle nearby and sip throughout the day. Herbal teas (like peppermint or chamomile) are also wonderful for keeping you warm and hydrated whilst the temperatures remain unpredictable.
Get prepared and stock on up healthy snacks you enjoy. Keeping healthy snacks around can help prevent overindulging in sugary or fatty treats when hunger strikes. Think sliced veggies with hummus, air-popped popcorn, or a handful of mixed nuts and seeds. Homemade bliss balls with dates, oats, and cacao are also a delicious Easter treat alternative. Having these foods first will help you rely less on the sugary stuff for energy, and you can enjoy them more for their taste instead.
With so much change in the plants and animals around us, spring is the perfect time to reconnect with nature. Take a walk in the park, along the beach, or through your local neighbourhood in bloom. Movement isn’t just great for your body; it lifts the spirits too. Whether it’s a brisk solo walk, a bike ride, or a stroll with a loved one, just getting outside can do wonders for your mental health.
Chocolate is everywhere at Easter, and that’s okay. Food is about pleasure as well as nourishment. The key is to indulge without over-indulging. Try to enjoy your favourite vegan chocolates or desserts slowly and mindfully, savouring every bite. By being present with your food, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and less likely to overeat. Feeling sick is no fun.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I’ll just start fresh after Easter”, but healthy living isn’t all-or-nothing. There doesn’t have to a specific day that you ‘start’ and ‘stop’ healthy habits. You can make many small healthy choices right now, even amongst the celebrations. Enjoy your treats but include plenty of whole plants too. Having a mid-morning hot cross bun? Enjoy a satsuma and a few walnuts after dinner. Having an afternoon Easter egg? Enjoy a big serving of greens with dinner. Making mindful decisions now can help you feel more in control and less sluggish after the weekend is done.
Easter chocolate arrives on the shop shelves weeks before Easter, and the treats can stick around in the house for a long time after too! Aim to reduce the month-long Easter chocolate rampage into a long weekend of treats by setting some gentle boundaries. If the normal for you is to become inundated with chocolate from every family member, sit down together and make plan to pick one person to buy for, saving money, the planet, and reducing the overwhelming quantities of sugar.
Holidays can be joyful, but also overwhelming or lonely. Prioritising your mental health is essential. Take time for yourself and have a think about activities that feel good for you; meditate, do some yoga, write in a journal, call a friend, or enjoy a mindful walk. Checking in with how you feel and giving yourself space to recharge helps you show up more fully, both for yourself and others.
One of the kindest things you can do for your soul this Easter is to let go of food guilt. Vegan or not, indulging in a few extra treats doesn’t make you ‘bad’… it makes you human. Guilt is pointless and only adds stress and gets in the way of truly enjoying the moment. So, give yourself permission to celebrate with chocolate, with joy, and with compassion for yourself.
Easter isn’t just about chocolate. Before our festivities were hijacked by food companies selling us sugar in every shape and form we could possibly imagine, we were celebrating all the vibrant produce of the spring. Fill your table with colourful salads, roasted root veggies, fresh asparagus, peas, radishes, and herby dishes that burst with life and flavour. Use this time to enjoy nature’s gifts with foods that are both nourishing and planet friendly.
Easter is a time of renewal, a beautiful opportunity to come back to what really matters… new life, connections and enjoying the here and now. By making compassionate, health-conscious choices alongside your treats this season, you’re not only looking after your own wellbeing, but also protecting animals and the planet.
Wishing you a joyful, vibrant, and peaceful vegan Easter!
By Rosemary Martin RD
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