1,500 calorie Easter menu
Who says your Easter meal should be high in calories? Our health editor chooses her favourite wholesome options for your Easter menu.
While we're big fans of everything Easter brings – hot cross buns, roast lamb with gravy and, of course, a chocolate egg or two – we also like to have some lighter options up our sleeve for anyone who is tracking their calories or working towards a personal health goal.
Below, you'll find a nourishing Easter menu that aims to provide approximately 1,500kcals for the day, which is likely to create a moderate shortfall, supporting steady and controlled weight loss, if that's what you desire. If weight loss isn’t your goal or your lifestyle requires a higher calorie intake, take a look at our healthy Easter lunch menu.
When it comes to Easter or any big celebration, feeling healthy and energised is key. So, give our easy menu a go and focus on what matters: enjoying the long weekend!
Discover our vegan Easter recipes, vegetarian Easter recipes and gluten-free Easter menu. Plus, check out the health benefits of dark chocolate, healthy lamb recipes and our healthy Easter menu.
What's on the menu?
Breakfast
Green shakshuka – 337 calories
Kick-start your day with a healthy portion of eggs, leeks, spinach and peas. Cover the lot with harissa-swirled yogurt and serve with flatbreads or toast, if you like.
More like this
Make it vegan
Breakfast peppers & chickpeas with tofu – 365 calories
Enjoy this simple vegan breakfast of tofu served on a bed of peppers, tomatoes and smoked paprika which, thanks to the chickpeas, will keep you feeling full until lunchtime.
Easter lunch
Starter
Beetroot carpaccio – 134kcal
Bring this colourful plate of beetroot to the table for a healthy starter. Served with a tangy dressing, crumbled feta, walnuts and rocket, it's low in calories and gluten-free.
Or try
Hummus without tahini – 126kcal
Skip the tahini to keep things budget-friendly and slightly lower in calories than regular hummus. Serve crunchy vegetable crudités on the side for scooping.
For the main
Whole roast chicken with braised roots & peas – 555 calories
Swap the fat-laden roasties and gravy for a lighter main. Layer swede, potato and leeks, then nestle a whole chicken on top to roast until succulent. The herby juices will coat the vegetables as they cook.
Make it vegan
Giant couscous salad with charred veg & tangy pesto – 461 calories
Beetroot, red onion and peppers are roasted until sweet and caramelised, then mixed with giant couscous to make this tasty dish. Top with a zingy coriander pesto and you've got yourself a truly delicious vegan lunch.
For dessert
Star anise meringues with mango coulis & raspberries – 158 calories
There's no need to miss out on dessert with our light and fluffy meringues topped with fruit. We've used mango and raspberries, but you could use whatever you've got at home.
Or try
Raspberry sorbet – 96 cals
Finish your meal with something sweet, light and refreshing with our raspberry sorbet. It's easier than you think to make and still hits the sweet spot, despite being low in fat.
For your evening meal
Bone broth – 150 calories
Put the chicken carcass to good use with our satisfying bone broth. Simmer with onion, bay leaves, lemon and spices until you have a silky broth. Bone broth is packed with nutrients, too.
On the side
Seeded soda bread – 193 calories
Every soup needs a wholesome bread for dunking. We've used soda bread, but check out our list of the top 10 healthiest breads for more ideas.
Make it vegan
Veggie yaki udon – 366 calories
Pack in the veg with our Japanese-inspired yaki udon. It takes just 25 minutes to make – just what you want if you've had a long day of entertaining.
Calorie total: 1,527 kcal
Vegan calorie total: 1,474 kcal
For more, try:
All our Easter recipes
Healthy baking recipes
Healthy dinner party recipes
Healthy chocolate recipes
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