Most Easter aisles in our local grocery stores are filled with highly processed, chemical ridden candies that are unhealthy for our children. So let’s not bombard our kids with the traditional sugar-overloaded Easter basket this weekend! Make this Easter basket one to remember with tasty, healthier treats and some small, personalized gifts to show the thought put into their baskets and to fill the void of bags upon bags of sugary candy.
Here are 10 healthy alternatives to store-bought Easter candies and chocolates for your kids’ baskets…
1. Organic Fruit Snacks
Most candies you can buy in the bulk aisle at the grocery store, you can also buy organically if you just walk two aisles over—in the health food section. It’s easy to find organic gummy bears, gummy worms, and more of your child’s favorites, minus the excess sugar and food coloring.
2. Popcorn Balls
Make your own at home using air popped corn, a little olive oil, cinnamon, and honey. Then tie them with pastel colored string and decorate them with edible sprinkles to make them look like giant, yummy Easter eggs.
3. Healthy Trail Mix
Mix your favorite unsalted nuts—almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews—with your favorite dried fruits—sultana raisins, cranberries, apricots, apple slices. Then fill Easter-themed little boxes you’re your very own healthy and tasty trail mix.
4. Homemade Rice Crispy Bunnies
Made with the goodness of whole grain rice cereal, honey, and low fat margarine, and organic peanut butter these rice crispy treats are way healthier than the store-bought variety. Hop to it with cookie press in the shape of a rabbit and create your own healthy Easter bunny treats.
5. Dark Chocolate
Forgo the foot long milk chocolate Easter bunny at the convenience store, and instead, buy a small bag of mini dark chocolate eggs. Why? Dark chocolate contains stearic acid, a component that delays the digestive process and keeps you satisfied longer. Just be sure to buy chocolate with pure cocoa butter.
6. Yogurt Covered Raisins & Cranberries
No, not the bulk barn variety filled with sugar and fatty oils—look to the natural food store for 100-percent organic yogurt covered snacks that are made with all natural ingredients.
7. Mini Carrots
If your kids really dig the Easter bunny, they’ll get a kick out of a colorfully wrapped bag of mini carrots in their baskets.
8. Homemade Nut & Seed Cookies
Pre-packaged cookies vs. homemade cookies—trust me when I say your kids won’t notice the difference. But you’ll know they are getting a healthier baked version made with nuts, seeds, natural sugars (like honey, organic brown sugar, or maple syrup), and fruit (such as apples or blueberries).
9. Dyed Hard Boiled Eggs
Packed with protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, hard boiled eggs dipped in spring shades make the perfect healthy snack for Easter baskets.
10. Sugar Free Jelly Beans
Sugar free, or “diabetic” versions of your child’s favorite jelly bean flavors can be nabbed in most health food stores, and nowadays, even at your local market in the organic food’s section.
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