Passover Quiz

Here’s a quick quiz that we can all relate to:

By the end of Passover:

A. I have gained several pounds
B. My stomach is upset
C. I feel totally exhausted
D. None of the above
E. All of the above

If you’re like most of us, you’ve likely checked “E”.

Jews are known as “The People of the Book.” But on Passover, we become “The People of the Cookbook!” Our time is spent in the kitchen and around the table – it’s food, food and more food.

And with an emphasis on eggs, potatoes, sweets and matzah, it’s not surprising that we don’t feel our best by the end of the holiday.

But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be this way!

By making some simple changes to your usual Pesach diet, you can eat light, you can eat right, and you can feel better than ever when Pesach is over.

You don’t have to eat matzah at every meal. The mitzvah of eating mitzvah only applies to the Seder. And if regular matzah is upsetting to your digestive system, try whole wheat matzah instead.

Plan your meals around vegetables. Eat a green salad every day. Center your meals on soups, salads and main courses prepared with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Include fish often during Pesach. It’s a healthy low-fat alternative to meat that doesn’t leave you feeling stuffed.

Serve lots of fruit. In addition to fresh seasonal fruit, I like to prepare a simple dried fruit compote to last throughout the holiday. Cook the fruit with a stick of cinnamon or orange slices and there’s no need for added sugar.

Quality not quantity. Most of us tend to prepare way too much food during the holidays. One solution is to estimate reasonable portion sizes and freeze any leftovers for another meal. And if someone is still hungry after dinner, offer fresh fruit.

Be active! Just because it’s a holiday, there’s no reason to sit around the house. During Chol Hamoed, get out and walk, ride bikes, exercise or play ball.

By the end of this Pesach, I hope that we can all answer “D” – “None of the Above” when I re-send this quiz!