Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. We know the holidays are always stressful when you’re trying to stay in shape and eat healthy. That’s why we’ve come up with a variety of creative and healthy Easter basket ideas that are sure to keep you on track.
Two-thirds of American households will wake up on Easter morning to find that the Easter Bunny has left a huge basket of goodies for every child and even a few adults. According to the National Confectioners Association, a trade organization that promotes the candy industry, most of those baskets will be filled with chocolate bunnies and eggs (55%), jelly beans, candy-coated eggs and marshmallow candy.
Your Easter gift can easily add up to thousands of calories worth of candy packed into one tiny plastic hay nest. Consider this. A 16-ounce solid chocolate bunny can contain 1,000 calories or more, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). yes
There are many ways to make sure you and your family can enjoy a healthy Easter. Stop worrying that seasonal sugar cravings will derail your weight loss success or lead you all down the very unhealthy path of the chocolate bunny. Here are just a few ideas for creating a healthy Easter basket.
Put together the perfect healthy Easter basket with these five creative ideas.
1. Give a gift certificate for fun and adventure.
Your kids won’t mind cutting back on the Easter basket if their main Easter gift is the zoo, a visit to their favorite museum, or an adventure day at an indoor (or outdoor) water park or natural area. Giving memories and experiences rather than tangible things is the gift that keeps on giving. One study that was published Journal of Consumer Research, found that giving your children “experiential gifts” can help build stronger parent-child relationships than material gifts. The researchers explain that the improvement in relationships “stems from the intensity of emotions that arise when they use the gifts, not after they receive the gifts.”
2. Think toys, not treats.
Along with a modest amount of candy, consider providing children with non-edible treats such as balloons, kites, jump ropes, jacks, craft kits or games that the whole family can enjoy together. Many of these non-edible treats can be enjoyed outside, helping you and your loved ones stay active while enjoying Mother Nature this spring. You can also fill plastic Easter eggs with stickers, slime, coins, dollar bills, rubber stamps, colorful wristbands, friendship bracelets, glow sticks, marbles, rubber bands, and fake tattoos. Most of these products are available at your local dollar store, party store, or online.
3. Look for sugar-free options.
To create a healthy adult basket for yourself, your spouse, or co-workers, consider stocking up on some guilt-free treats. Some of the major confectioners make options for those who need to avoid or reduce their sugar intake. These days, you can get everything from chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks to jelly beans and yogurt that are sugar-free. There are even stevia candy bars available online and in stores. These will sweeten your healthy Easter basket and keep your weight loss plan on track.
4. Choose healthier foods.
Half the fun of Easter is dyeing real, hard-boiled Easter eggs. One large egg contains about 78 calories and plenty of protein, heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and essential vitamins and minerals, the USDA says. According to Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, “One study shows that eggs do not raise cholesterol at all in about 70% of people.” They also explain that eggs increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as good cholesterol, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This makes them a great healthy and colorful treat for Easter baskets. If you have any concerns about your cholesterol level, talk to your doctor before consuming eggs or making any changes to your diet.
Since even a healthy Easter basket has to contain chocolate, skip a few chocolate bunnies and substitute a healthier alternative. Try making some strawberries dipped in stevia-sweetened chocolate or mini whole wheat pretzels covered in white chocolate. Practice proper portion size and moderation by making simple fruit kebabs topped with a single chickpea.
5. Make sweets yourself.
Not creative in the kitchen? Let the healthy recipe experts at The Leaf and Nutrisystem Help! After all, one of our main goals is to create healthier versions of all your favorite foods. Get into the kitchen and whip up these five healthy Easter treats for a smarter Easter basket.
1. Grasshopper Candy Bars >
You can easily buy store-bought rice cereal. However, they won’t be as healthy as the ones you beat yourself. These peppermint, chocolate bars use four cups of rice cereal, two cups of mini marshmallows, two tablespoons of mini chocolate chips, one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa, a little light butter, and peppermint extract to make a delicious treat that’s two extra. The Nutrisystem Plan.
2. Peanut Butter Cups >
You and your family won’t miss that “other” peanut butter cup once you taste them. You only need three simple ingredients—chocolate chips, peanut butter, and coconut oil—to make a healthy treat this holiday season. One serving of Nutrisystem counts as just one PowerFuel and two Extras.
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunchy Bars >
Avoid temptation with a healthy candy bar made with wholesome ingredients. Oats, peanuts, peanut butter, dates, and a few scoops Vanilla Nutrisystem Shake Mix create this satisfying Easter. To make the recipe even more festive, feel free to shape your bars into egg shapes. One serving counts as one PowerFuel and one SmartCarb.
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge >
This confection has the smooth, creamy texture of regular fudge, but with fewer calories, fat, and guilt. Plus, it’s so easy to make! Melt some peanut butter until it’s warm and thin, then add some chocolate chips and almond milk. Stir, allow mixture to cool, and pour into an ice cube tray sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Put it in the freezer until it hardens, then eat it. Each slice has just 116 calories and counts as one PowerFuel and one Extra.
Explore The Leaf and discover more delicious and healthy dessert recipes. Check out our Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Easter Eggs for an irresistible treat this spring.