20 Ways to Stock a Fun and Healthy Easter Basket

DietsInReview

By Carmen Staicer - Chief Mom at DietsInReview.com

Easter is a highly anticipated holiday for kids. After going through Lent with out any treats, Easter would deliver a basket of goodies and a sugar high that caused a crash reminiscent of the 1929 stock market disaster. When I became a mom, I realized the calories in those Easter treats were not worth the gym time to work them off. I also learned that I could create a basket for my kids that would be well received, and also better for them.

The calorie counts in some of the most popular Easter basket treats should require sign-up in a spin class immediately following that last tasty bite. A Cadbury Cream Egg has 170 calories, in one egg! A four-pack of marshmallow peeps have 130 calories. And the Easter basket staple, a seven ounce hollow chocolate bunny has half a day's worth of calories at 1,050!

Instead, try these lower calorie candy alternatives, because we all know an Easter basket wouldn't be the same without them.

  • 10 Jelly Beans - around 50 calories

  • 1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup - around 90 calories

  • 4 Hershey's Kisses - 90 calories

  • 3 Butterscotch hard candies - 70 calories

  • Sugar-free Dubble Bubble gum - 7 calories each


Fill just a few eggs with these treats to keep the calorie and sugar crash to a minimum for everyone. Then stock the baskets with these healthier, and even more fun, alternatives that get them ready for spring!

1. Bubbles
2. Sidewalk chalk and paint
3. New flip-flops
4. Jump ropes
5. Hula Hoops
6. Footballs, soccer balls or basketballs
7. Bathing suits
8. Sunscreen
9. Hand sanitizer with a belt clip
10. Hair ties
11. Lip balm or gloss
12. Toy cars
13. Toothbrushes
14. Coloring books and crayons
15. Storybooks
16. Stickers
17. Temporary tattoos
18. MP3 gift cards
19. Nail polish
20. Water guns or balloons

Enjoying the Easter holiday doesn't have to mean suffering from a sugar crash that evening. As with everything, keep the sweet treats in moderation and get creative with things outside the candy aisle.


Try these healthier Easter recipes:

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Apple Carrot Salad

Apricot Citrus Stuffed Ham


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