Reimagining Easter Treats When You're Taking Mounjaro

Easter in the UK traditionally means indulging in hot cross buns slathered with butter, chocolate eggs by the basketful, and retro sweet treats like nest cakes with mini eggs. But if you're on your weight management journey with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Wegovy (semaglutide), you might be wondering how to navigate this chocolate-centric holiday without feeling left out. The good news? Many GLP-1 users report that their taste preferences have naturally shifted away from ultra-sweet treats – making this the perfect opportunity to reimagine Easter celebrations with more savoury, nutritionally balanced options that your changed palate might actually prefer!

How GLP-1 Medications Transform Your Easter Cravings

If you've noticed that the gigantic chocolate eggs you once coveted now seem overwhelmingly sweet, you're not alone. In fact, one study showed that GLP-1 medication can actually change the taste sensitivity in women with obesity. Where previously, these women had an inherently elevated desire for sweet foods, the medication reportedly changed the brain’s response to sugary tastes. If you’ve found that previously irresistible sugary treats have suddenly lost their appeal, this might well be why! Yes, thanks to Mounjaro or Wegovy, your palate might now gravitate toward savoury, umami-rich flavours, tangy, fermented tastes or fresh produce with natural sweetness e.g. fruit. Rather than seeing this as a limitation during Easter celebrations, why not embrace the opportunity to create new traditions that actually align with what your body is craving - and keep your long term health goals in mind? 

Savoury Easter Recipes Your Changed Palate Will Love

We’re all about the alfresco Easter dining, but don’t fancy a heavy feast with family. Here are three Easter-inspired recipes that celebrate the season without the sugar rush – perfect for GLP-1 users seeking satisfying alternatives to traditional sweet treats:

1. Spring Herb and Goat Cheese Tartlets

These individual tartlets make for a cute Easter table centrepiece with a scattering of vibrant green herbs. The tangy goat cheese provides that satisfying umami that many GLP-1 users crave, while the crisp pastry delivers textural contrast that keeps the brain engaged and excited:

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of filo pastry (lower in calories than traditional shortcrust)

• 100g soft goat cheese

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt

• Handful each of fresh dill, chives, and parsley, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

• Extra virgin olive oil spray

• Optional: pea shoots, chopped chives or microgreens for garnish

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan).

2. Lightly spray a muffin tin with olive oil.

3. Cut filo sheet into squares and press into muffin tin to create tartlet shells.

4. Mix goat cheese, egg, yoghurt, herbs, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

5. Spoon mixture into tartlet shells.

6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until set and lightly golden.

7. Top with fresh pea shoots for an extra spring touch.

The vibrant herbs provide a wealth of flavour without heavy gravy or sauces, while the combination of tangy cheese with the crisp filo pastry creates a satisfying mouthfeel without excessive calories.

2. Easter "Nest" Roasted Vegetables with Baked Eggs

Chocolate cornflake cakes with mini eggs are a firm favourite for many, but if you’ve gone off sweetness, here’s a fun alternative! This savoury take on "nest" treats creates a festive Easter brunch option that's both Instagrammable and nutritionally balanced. The roasted vegetables develop natural sweetness while maintaining their nutritional integrity, and the baked eggs provide satiating protein. Yes, please! 

Ingredients:

• 2 large spiralised sweet potatoes

• 2 large spiralised carrots

• 1 spiralised courgette

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 4-6 medium eggs

• Fresh dill and chives to garnish

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan).

2. Toss spiralised vegetables with olive oil, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper.

3. Arrange in nest-like formations on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 15 minutes until vegetables begin to crisp.

5. Create a small well in the centre of each "nest" and crack an egg into each.

6. Return to oven for 5-8 minutes until eggs are set to your liking.

7. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

The variety of textures – from crispy vegetable edges to the perfectly runny yolk – provides the kind of sensory experience that can actually help with portion control and satiety. 

3. Mediterranean Lamb Skewers with Spring Herb Sauce

One for our omnivore gang. Easter often features a lamb roast, and these skewers offer a protein-forward option that celebrates this tradition while incorporating the bright, fresh flavours of spring herbs that tickle GLP-1 users’ palates.

Ingredients:

• 500g lean lamb fillet, cut into 2cm cubes

• 1 red pepper, cut into chunks

• 1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks

• 1 red onion, cut into wedges

• 12 cherry tomatoes

For the marinade:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the herb sauce:

• 150g Greek yoghurt

• Handful of fresh mint, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Mix all marinade ingredients and coat the lamb pieces. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Thread lamb and vegetables onto skewers, alternating ingredients.

3. Grill on a hot barbecue or under a hot grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until lamb is cooked but still slightly pink inside.

4. Mix all herb sauce ingredients together.

5. Serve skewers drizzled with herb sauce.

These skewers cater to the preference for umami-rich proteins, whilst the fresh herb sauce offers a tangy counterpoint that provides flavour complexity without added sugars.

4. Spring Berry "Easter Nest" Breakfast Parfait

This visually appealing breakfast parfait creates a festive Easter "nest" presentation while featuring the natural sweetness of seasonal berries, which many GLP-1 users find more appealing than processed sweets. The combination of protein-rich plant yoghurt with seeds and nuts provides satiety while the textural contrast offers sensory interest.

Ingredients:

• 200g coconut yoghurt (unsweetened)

• 100g mixed seasonal berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

• 2 tablespoons toasted coconut flakes

• 1 tablespoon mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, flax)

• 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Method:

1. In a clear glass or bowl, create a small well in the centre of your coconut yoghurt to form a "nest" shape.

2. Arrange the mixed berries in the centre well.

3. Combine the toasted coconut flakes, mixed seeds, and chopped pistachios in a small bowl.

4. Sprinkle the seed and nut mixture around the edge of the yoghurt to create a "nest" appearance.

5. Finish with a light dusting of lemon zest over the top and garnish with a few small mint leaves.

The protein and healthy fats will help keep you satisfied, and the natural sweetness of the berries can help satisfy any sweet cravings in a more nutritionally balanced way. The presentation keeps the cute, springtime Easter theme while aligning with the changed taste preferences many experience while taking Mounjaro or Wegovy.

Navigating Social Pressure During Easter

If you're concerned about navigating social situations where traditional Easter treats abound, remember you're not alone. We’ve heard from patients on the Weight Management Programme via HANX that they feel nervous before their first big family meet up after starting on GLP-1 medications. Some of our top practical tips to navigate peer pressure to overindulge:

• Bring one of these savoury alternatives to gatherings to ensure you have options you'll enjoy - it can be overwhelming to try and figure out what options work for you if you’re confronted with a big buffet 

• Focus on the social aspects of the gathering rather than the food

• Be prepared with a simple explanation if you choose not to indulge in sweet treats. You don’t need to tell anyone that you’re being supported on your weight loss journey by Mounjaro or Wegovy

• Remember that your changing taste preferences are a positive aspect of your treatment journey. It might feel strange, but this is an exciting evolution in your health journey
  

Embracing Your Evolving Palate

As your taste preferences evolve during your weight management journey with Mounjaro or Wegovy, Easter presents a wonderful opportunity to explore new flavours and reimagine traditions. Rather than focusing on what you might be missing, celebrate the expansion of your culinary horizons. Your changing relationship with food isn't about restriction but about rediscovery – finding genuine pleasure in new tastes and textures that better serve your health goals. Have you noticed changes in your food preferences since starting your weight management journey with HANX? We'd love to hear about your experience – drop into our DMs to share your story!

Want more?

• Can you drink alcohol when taking Mounjaro? We share our top tips here.
• Craving olives and grapes, not pastries and cake? Here's why GLP-1 medication might just be changing your taste in snacks... 
• Considering the support of Mounjaro or Wegovy to reach your longterm health goals? Find out if you're eligible for the Weight Management Programme at HANX. Start consultation.