Nutritionist gives important tips for maintaining a good diet at Easter

Easter is a much-awaited moment for families, who come together to celebrate life and renew their spirit. The date is also marked by abundant tables and lots of chocolate, not only on Easter Sunday, but during celebrations that extend throughout the week, at work, with friends and family.

Maintaining a good diet during this period is difficult, but it is perfectly possible, guarantees the nutritionist at the State Department of Health (SES-AM), Daíse Cunha.

In order to avoid excesses that could affect health and ensure an adequate nutritional balance, she shares important tips for maintaining a good diet during the festivities.

Technician in Food and Nutrition at SES-AM, Daíse Cunha highlights that, at Easter, it is very common to consume, often excessively, fried foods and different types of chocolates, which can be harmful to health.

Most dessert recipes during this period involve chocolate as an ingredient. Therefore, she recommends replacing milk chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate with more than 70% cocoa, which makes the dish a little healthier.

Furthermore, Daíse Cunha recommends using light or zero-fat cream and making desserts that have sources of fiber in the recipe, using chestnuts, chia, flaxseed flour or oats.

“To control excessive intake of sweets, consume small amounts, always prioritizing semi-sweet or dark chocolate. There is no need to stop eating, as it is a food that promotes the production of endorphins, hormones that act on our well-being, good mood and are cardiovascular protectors”, he explained.

It is also recommended to avoid white chocolate, she says, as it contains more fat and does not offer any health benefits, as well as including fruits from our region in desserts.

According to the nutritionist, the most recommended savory dishes are cooked, grilled or baked, always accompanied by a salad, maintaining a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats.

The specialist remembers that the period can be enjoyed, as long as, at the end, the healthy routine is resumed. “Yes, you can consume a little more sweets, at get-togethers with friends, at work, with your family, without any problems. But then, get back to a healthy routine, always have a source of fiber and vegetables in your diet, not forgetting to stay well hydrated”, he concludes.