Forget diets and detoxes – ‘mindful indulgence’ is the way to go this Easter

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If you’re someone who is anxiously adding up calories ahead of your Sunday morning Easter egg hunt, weighing up whether or not your exercise and eating habits throughout the past month have warranted an extra few choccies, Sam Wood has an important message for you.

Between the rising cost of living, a never-ending stream of work emails, and the recent departure of summer’s warmth and sunshine, there’s no doubt we’re all hanging out for the Easter long weekend. 

But festive cheer and relaxation aside, the April holiday can come with it’s own challenges for many – and we’re not just talking about family catch-ups and early morning wakeup calls from eager, chocolate-obsessed children. 

Thanks to values heavily cultivated by society’s never-ending pursuit of weight loss, celebrations like Easter – a holiday centred around chocolate and hot cross buns – can be especially triggering for anyone who struggles with any form of body dysmorphia or an eating disorder.

Our desire to maintain or lose weight can encourage drastic – even dangerous – habits when it comes to how we move and fuel our bodies, a pattern Sam Wood, trainer and founder of 28 By Sam Wood, is passionate about helping people break. 

Do diets and detoxes work?

While they may seem like a foolproof way to kickstart healthier eating patterns, Wood says diets and detoxes are actually incredibly counterintuitive to long-term progress.

“As soon as you say the words “detox” and “diet” it automatically raises an alarm where you believe you have to be restrictive with your diet which means you go into your eating plan with an all or nothing mentality,” Wood says.

“I have seen this time and time again – people go too hard too early then realise this isn’t realistic for your day-to-day life, nor is it enjoyable.”

Our desire to maintain or lose weight can encourage drastic – even dangerous – habits. Image: Pexels

Out with the diets, in with ‘mindful indulgence’

With restrictive eating habits designed to encourage guilt and repentance if not followed to a tee, Wood suggests we all adopt a more mindful approach to indulging this Easter, allowing ourselves to enjoy the festivities with our loved ones, without compromising our health goals too much. 

“Mindful indulgence is essentially consuming what you feel like in the moment, however being mindful of the consumption you are having. It’s an old terminology but really is true,” Wood says. “Everything in moderation and you can’t go wrong.”

“For example, look at the portion size of your foods. Instead of eating a whole easter bunny, why not break a section off, pack away the remaining bunny in the container, and then add to your plate with some berries or additions to feel satisfied without missing out?” 

Eat your chocolate with no strings attached. Image: iStock

How to adopt mindful indulgence without feeling guilty

#1. Don’t starve yourself in anticipation

“If you’re planning a long easter lunch, the biggest mistake you can make is to starve yourself because you think you’re going to eat a big lunch. Instead, have a nutritious breakfast. This will mean you’re not going into lunch ravenous and end up eating so quickly and fast to fill your hunger.”

#2. Don’t rush through indulgence

“Celebrate the delicious food you’re enjoying! Easter can mean you have an abundance of foods you can try. Take small bites, eat slowly, enjoy your surroundings, and appreciate how tasty the food is.”

#3. Don’t skip dessert! 

“You will more than likely feel like you’re missing out and binge eat later. Just look  at your portion sizes (without being too focussed on this) and after eating, check in with yourself  before going for seconds and think “am I still really hungry?”

#4. Don’t overthink one weekend of indulgence

“It’s easter! One day doesn’t mean you go back a thousand steps. Don’t punish yourself for eating foods you enjoy!”

Originally published as Forget diets and detoxes – ‘mindful indulgence’ is the way to go this Easter