Passover (Pesach) is a Jewish holiday, usually in April, that lasts eight days. During the holiday, families gather to commemorate the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Seders, which are traditional family dinners, are held during this time. At the table, prayers are said and traditional foods are served.
An important part of Passover is the exclusion of leavened bread. Foods with wheat, barley, rye, spelt, or oats, must be avoided unless they are labeled “kosher for Passover.” The most recognizable staple during Passover is Matzah (flat unleavened bread).
If you’re trying to lose weight or on a Herbal Magic Weight Loss Program, one of the major concerns you might face throughout this week is the need to substitute your starch (bread) options with Matzah. Fortunately, there is no need to worry, as we’ve outlined the allotments for your Matzah options below:
- 1 piece of Matzah = 1 starch
- ¼ cup Matzah Meal = 1 starch
- ½ cup Matzah Farfel = 1 starch
Matzah also comes in a whole wheat variety, so try this over regular or egg Matzah for a boost of fibre. By making this switch, you’ll feel fuller faster and longer, therefore, helping you avoid overeating. However, there are a few other weight loss tips to consider for Passover if you’re trying to stay on track with your goal.
Here are a few of our weight loss tips to consider for Passover:
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Control Your Portions:
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Do Not Skip Meals:
Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast, a light lunch, and an afternoon snack. Your dinner may not be served until late, and if you sit down to dinner starving, you may overeat once the food hits the table.
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Plan Healthy Passover-Friendly Options:
Make sure there are healthy substitutes for your favourite dishes. There are a lot of healthy holiday dishes you can offer that many others would enjoy as well.
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Be Conscious of Allotments:
If you find it difficult to measure food while at a dinner party, try to have half of your plate covered in vegetables, a quarter in protein, and a quarter in starches. Use very small amounts of gravy, sauces, stuffing, and rolls, and have only one small serving of your favourite dessert.
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Stay Active:
Now that spring has sprung, get outside and get in some additional exercise before you sit down at your holiday dinner.
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Reflect On The Holiday Meaning:
Nowadays, everyone has busy schedules making it difficult to connect with family and friends. Enjoy the moments you get to spend with each other and focus on catching up instead of the food that surrounds you.
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Drink Responsibly:
Drinking too much can impact your inhibitions to say “no” to tasty holiday items. Stick with the Herbal Magic alcohol serving sizes that will fit nicely into your program.
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Keep Your Goal In-Mind:
When tempted by sugary foods or drinks, ask yourself if eating this will help you reach your goals. If the answer is no, stick with items that fit into your program so you can continue to successfully lose weight.
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Forgive Yourself:
If you end up eating more than you intended to at a holiday meal, give yourself a break and get right back on track at your next meal.
If you know which dishes are normally served as a part of your Seder meal, make some requests to have some Herbal Magic Program-friendly Passover options available. You can also try teaching those around you how to lighten up traditional holiday meals, and show them how these healthier versions can become the new traditional.
For more weight loss tips, give the articles below a read:
