Easter Diet Survival Guide

As Easter approaches, there's only one thing on our minds...

CHOCOLATE!

But don't go to egg-stremes, a typical Easter egg contains around 1000 calories - that's half your daily allowance.

To help you survive the holiday without becoming a bulging bunny, here's my guide to making this one a guilt-free Easter.

SWAP CHOCOLATE EGGS FOR CHICK EGGS

Eggs are packed with protein, essential vitamins, iron, phosphorus and zinc. They're also low in calories and saturated fats, so won't pile on the pounds.

"The added energy will give you a spring in your step."

GO FOR DARK

If the thought of going without is too much, stick to dark as it's lower in calories and fat.

Choose chocolate that's high in cocoa as it's packed with antioxidants which can combat cancer, arthritis and heart disease.

Dark chocolate is also high in frolic acid which is beneficial during pregnancy and magnesium which is linked to the prevention of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

GET SOME EGGS-ERCISE

The weather's getting warmer so why not get out there and blast those Easter calories?

"To burn off an easter egg containing 1000 calories you'd need to run for an hour and 40 minutes.

"Or you could walk quickly for two hours and 45 minutes."

So get running! Either way Happy Easter

The Right way to Walk and Lose Weight

Walking is one of the easiest ways to increase your physical activity and improve your overall health. Not only does regular walking strengthen your heart, lungs, bones, and muscles, but it also helps your body resist and fight illness. Perhaps the most noticeable benefits of walking are an increase in energy and a positive impact on mood—regular aerobic exercise helps prevent anxiety and depression.

Key points:

* Have a checkup before beginning an exercise program. Follow the special advice that your health professional gives you for getting a smart start.
* Plan to either walk a certain number of minutes or get a pedometer for counting your daily number of steps.
* Start with reachable, short-term goals, such as increasing your walks by 5 minutes each day. Or, increase your number of steps by 100 if you've recently been inactive or by 2,000 if you're relatively fit. It's easiest to stick to something new when you have early, frequent successes.
* Start each walk with a warm-up, speed up your pace in the middle, and finishing with a slower cool down at the end.
* To stay motivated, walk with your family, friends, or coworkers. Daily dog walks are also a great way to keep up your walking routine.
* After you've made walking a regular habit, set a longer-term goal for yourself, such as walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day or for a daily total of 10,000 steps, 5 days a week or more.

Does Juice Fit into a Healthy Diet?

Many people simply drink too many of their calories — and this puts on the weight. Fruit juice is one drink many people overindulge in, and they do so because they assume it to be a healthy choice.

Fruit juice can fit into your daily diet if you follow these two rules: Drink only 100-percent fruit juice, and monitor your portion sizes. Read the food label to find out whether a product is 100-percent juice. Beware of terms like "fruit drink," "fruit cocktail" or "fruit punch," all of which may indicate it is not 100-percent juice and is loaded with artificial flavorings and extra sugar.

As for portion size, adults should drink no more than two cups (16 ounces) each day. This may vary depending on your age, body weight and gender, but it's a good general guideline.

Although most adults need about two servings or cups of fruit per day, 100-percent fruit juice can count as one, or even two, of those servings. The problem arises when people drink more than this, and those extra calories turn into extra weight.

But please keep in mind: Whole fruits do offer some benefits over juices. Whole fruits have more fiber than plain juice, and fiber helps you feel fuller longer. Also, a piece of whole fruit takes longer to digest than juice removed from the fruit, which keeps your blood sugar level steadier. And there's an additional satisfaction from chewing something instead of merely guzzling it down. So try choosing whole fruits over juices in your diet.

Bottom line: It's possible to fit 100-percent fruit juice into a healthy diet, but make sure to chose pure juice and enjoy it in moderation