Louise Parker, who has created some guilt-free Easter recipes to help you get over those sugar cravings. Photo / Louise Parker
Louise Parker, who has created some guilt-free Easter recipes to help you get over those sugar cravings. Photo / Louise Parker
Worried that you won't be able to resist all those naughty chocolate treats over Easter?
There's no need to panic, says celebrity weight-loss expert Louise Parker, who has created some guilt-free Easter recipes to help you get over those sugar cravings.
"A good way to keep your cravings in check is to use cocoa [powder] without sugar," she says.
And if that doesn't rock your boat, then it's OK to indulge in chocolate every now and then - just as long as it's in moderation, reports Daily Mail.
Parker, who helped Oscar-winner Emma Thompson lose two dress sizes, advises: "Have one fabulous [chocolate] egg, enjoy it - and skip the ones you would eat without thinking.
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder • 100g frozen cherries • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder • 1 tablespoon oatbran • Semi-skimmed (1 or 2%) milk, or unsweetened soya milk, to taste • Stevia, to taste
Blend all the ingredients except the milk and stevia together for one minute until smooth. Adjust the amount of milk to achieve your desired consistency, then taste and sweeten with stevia to taste.
Chocolate French Toast with 'Vitality' Sauce
Chocolate French toast with vitality sauce. Photo / Louise Parker
Serves 4
For the Vitality Sauce • 300g of frozen summer berries • 1 teaspoon of stevia • Squeeze of lemon juice • For the French Toast • 4 large eggs • 2 tablespoons milk • ½ teasppon ground cinnamon • 1-2teaspoons cocoa powder • ½-1 teaspoon stevia • 4 pieces of wholemeal bread, crusts on, each cut into 2 triangles • 4 tiny knobs of unsalted butter
First make the sauce, Always use frozen berries, as they're available all year round and are packed full of vitamins.
Simply throw the frozen berries in a pan, add the stevia and lemon juice, place over a medium heat and leave to simmer away for 3-5 minutes until it has reduced a little. Set aside to cool slightly.
Now take a bowl and whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, cocoa and stevia. Pour into a large flat dish and, in batches, soak each piece of bread for at least 1 minute on each side.
Place a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, add a little knob of butter and swirl until the pan is coated in melted butter, then fry each slice on both sides until nicely brown and fluffy.
Serve the French toast with a generous helping of the vitality sauce spooned over the top.
Chocolate Cinnamon Almonds
Chocolate cinnamon almonds. Photo / Louise Parker
Cinnamon is great for stabilising blood sugar levels. Batch bake these and pouch them up in little zip lock bags so you can grab a pack or two as you're running out of the door in the morning and enjoy on the move.
Each serving is 2 tablespoons. With a low-GI fruit, this is a great snack.
Chocolate cinnamon nuts (blurb in book on why these great, on the go, cinnamon great for stabilising blood sugar levels etc) - you can double up on the cinnamon and batch bake these and keep handful zip lock bags.
• 280g almonds, skin on • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder • ½ tablespoon stevia • 1/2tablespoon ground cinnamon • Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 3.
Bake the almonds for 10 minutes, giving them a shake halfway through. Turn off the oven.
Place the almonds in a bowl with the cocoa., stevia and cinnamon and stir to coat well.
Return to the baking tray and leave to cool in the oven, with the door slightly ajar.
Bring up the heat, not allowing it to boil, and whisk until the hot chocolate has thickened a little and is heated through.
For more information on Louise's programmes and method go to louiseparker.uk.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @figuremagician. Her book, Lean for Life: The Cookbook, is out now.
