How to enjoy a guilt-free Easter with Slimming World
Easter’s festival of chocolate is one of the most challenging times of the year for many people. Anyone who is trying to lose weight thinks they have to avoid Easter holiday temptations altogether. But there’s good news, according to local weight loss experts from Slimming World.
Pauline Bliss, who runs the Slimming World group in St Kieran’s Community Centre in Athlone town, says slimmers can still enjoy Easter treats without guilt. “Easter can be an extremely tempting time for people trying to slim down in time for summer, as Easter eggs line the supermarket shelves, adverts for chocolate treats dominate TV screens and the smell of freshly-baked hot cross buns and cakes seems to fill every room.”
“So often we think that losing weight means going hungry and giving up all of our favourite foods – after all, that’s what so many diets tell us to do! But it is possible to have your cake and eat it this Easter, and start this summer looking and feeling great.
"Members who join Slimming World to lose weight discover that we’re not about dieting and deprivation. What we do in group is help each other to make healthy changes to the way we shop, cook and eat and learn to make healthy choices."
Sinead Morris, who runs the groups in The Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone adds: “Every week at group we share tips and ideas and support each other to overcome challenges. One great example of this, is our Slimming World Mini Egg Cheesecake, at just 5 syns a slice, members can enjoy a delicious treat without all the extra calories one would expect from a regular cheesecake.”
Put simply, Slimming World Syns are treats, or items you might eat or drink in moderation. “This recipe (along with thousands of others) is available now on our Slimming World blog, it’s simple and quick to make, and typical of the sort of tempting and tasty dishes Slimming World members can enjoy without guilt,” she advises.
Carol Doran Joyce, who is opening a new Slimming World group in The Bower, Athlone, continues: “Slimming World’s famous Food Optimising eating plan allows slimmers to satisfy their appetite on filling, lower calorie foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit and vegetables, lean meat, poultry and fish. At Slimming World these foods are called Free Foods because members can enjoy them freely to satisfy their appetite without weighing, counting and measuring.”
Sharleen Doyle, who runs the group in The Dun na Sí Centre in Moate, advises: “Our plan also encourages members to enjoy a little bit of what that fancy, whatever that may be, meaning they don’t have to give up any of their favourite treats – including chocolate – to lose weight.”
“This is a very exciting time to join us, we have a gorgeous Easter giveaway. Every member who joins our groups between the 24th of March and the 13th of April will get free membership and up to two weeks free, when they commit to a six or a twelve week countdown course. Everyone is welcome at our Slimming world groups, for more information, including more delicious recipes, visit www.slimmingworldie. ”
With Slimming World, there’s no need to miss out on a tasty treat. This creamy cheesecake has a crunchy biscuit base and a sprinkling of mini eggs to make your Easter celebration all the sweeter.
6 Syns per slice (Put simply, Slimming World Syns are “treats,” or items you might eat or drink in moderation)
Takes 15 mins to make (plus 4 hours 15 mins chilling time)
10 digestive biscuits
50g low-fat spread
low-calorie cooking spray
4 sheets leaf gelatine
600g fat-free natural Greek yogurt
150g extra-light plain soft cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 level tbsp sweetener granules
10g milk chocolate, grated
10 Cadbury Mini Eggs, roughly crushed
1. Line the base of a 20cm non-stick loose-bottomed tin with baking paper. Put the biscuits in a food bag, seal and bash with a rolling pin to make fine crumbs.
2. Melt the spread in a saucepan over a low heat, then stir in the biscuit crumbs. Spritz the tin with low-calorie cooking spray, spoon the crumbs into the tin and, using the back of the spoon, press them down to cover the base evenly. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Soak the gelatine in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, or until softened. Remove the gelatine, squeeze out excess water and put it in a small saucepan with 200g of the yogurt. Stir continuously over a low heat for 1-2 minutes, until the gelatine has melted into the yogurt. Leave to cool.
4. Put the remaining yogurt, soft cheese, vanilla extract and sweetener in a large mixing bowl. Add the gelatine mixture and beat everything together until well-combined
and smooth. Stir in the grated chocolate, then spoon the mixture over the biscuit base and smooth the top. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
5. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the tin, discarding the baking paper, and put it on a serving plate or cake stand.
Evenly scatter over the mini egg pieces and cut into 10 equal slices to serve.
For help losing weight without missing out on tasty treats like this, visit www.slimmingworld.ie to join your local Slimming World group