Easter Nutrition

Easter doesn't have to equal a calorie splurge. There are alternatives.

When the Easter Bunny leaves millions kids candy-filled baskets this Sunday what comes with them is the same temptation that follows other "sweet" holidays, like Halloween. It is the temptation to snack on candies for days and days; not only the kids, but parents partake too - "Just to help little Johnny and Susie from having to eat all of it," we tell ourselves.

But just because we celebrate a holiday with candies doesn't give us the excuse to go overboard. Here are a few tips for keeping the calories where they belong...outside the house!

1. Don't buy bulk. If you "help" the Easter Bunny with its deliveries, it is smarter to buy a small amount of quality treats rather than whatever cartful of cellophane-wrapped candies that greet us at the door of every grocery store. Remember, for chocolate, the darker it is the more antioxidants. In general, look for chocolates with 60 percent cocoa or more.

2. Eat good foods first. Candies aren't snacks; they're desserts. Eating candies on an empty stomach spikes blood sugar levels and puts us on a hunger and energy roller coaster. Eat your Sunday meal first, then treat yourself with a dessert. The same goes for the days after.

3. Put it away. Don't leave that colorful, candy-filled Easter basket on the kitchen counter (our most trafficked room). Instead, put it up in a cupboard so kids and parents aren't tempted every time they walk by.

4. Respect your co-workers. Don't assume your workplace wants a surge of cheap candies come Monday morning. Respect them and leave your excess at home, or better yet find a good place to donate extras if you bought too much or your family sent a little too much sugar this year. Your co-workers may be dealing with their own calorie excess or trying to live healthy lives; don't tempt them to save yourself from eating it.

5. Tell the Easter Bunny that it doesn't have to be sweets. There are many other "gifts" that can go into Easter baskets. For instance, stickers, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, jump ropes, Play Dough, bubbles, and garden supplies are terrific gifts for kids that come with calories.

If you're still not convinced, take a look at the chart below to see just how many calories and fat grams are in some common Easter treats.

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