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Nutritious and Delicious—Alternatives to Easter Candy
Monday, March 25, 2013
David Castillo Dominici
Easter is right around the corner, which means it is time for Easter Basket creation. Children love receiving Easter Baskets, and many families celebrate it as a tradition for Easter morning. Easter treats can still be enjoyed, but try to look beyond the stocked shelves of Peeps and Chocolate Bunnies this year and consider healthy alternatives to usual Easter candy. One Cadbury Solid Milk Chocolate Easter Bunny, a popular Easter treat, contains 890 calories, and 48.6 grams of fat! With the growing rate of childhood obesity, good nutrition must be considered and incorporated into all childhood experiences. Think of these alternatives when packing an Easter basket this year:
-Stuff the basket with colorful fruits like clementines. They are sweet and small enough for small hands to peel!
- Bag dried fruit—very sweet, dried fruit is a wonderful alternative to processed and refined sugars.
- Include items other than candy—coloring books or markers take up space, and last longer than a sugar rush!
-If you want to include the usual candy, opt for snack-sized packages. This reduces overconsumption.
-Incorporate homemade goodies. If your child wants a treat, bake a cake together the night before! It is important for children to realize the amount of work (and fun!) it takes to prepare baked goods.
Try incorporating one new idea into this year’s basket. Remember—a healthy kid is a happy kid!
