Easter egg hunts, Easter egg baskets and colored Easter eggs. The holiday is full of egg-themed activities and food, making it difficult to stick to a diet when constantly surrounded by jelly beans and bunny-shaped chocolate.
If you stick to a meal plan, you may be inclined to forego these simple pleasures. But that’s not a realistic or healthy way to live, experts say.
“Moderation, not deprivation, is at the heart of my nutritional philosophy, which certainly carries over into how to handle holiday treats, like Easter candy,” said registered dietitian Elizabeth Shaw.
To help those sticking to a healthy diet plan still enjoy Easter’s little treats, Ms. Shaw, along with Christine Byrne, a registered dietitian with a private practice in North Carolina, recommended the sweets you can enjoy without feeling guilty.
Each of these candies has slightly fewer calories and sugar than other alternatives
Lindt milk chocolate mini gold rabbit
These baby bunnies are almost as cute as the real thing. And they are Byrne’s favorite candy, she said TODAY – perfect for snacks over the course of a few days.
“It’s made from high-quality chocolate that has a perfect, velvety texture,” she said.
In addition, it contains only 21 grams of sugar and 290 calories for the whole rabbit.
That’s significantly less than this candy’s big brother, which has 440 calories and 52 grams of sugar.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
Not only are these candies a delicious combination of the classic peanut butter and chocolate, but they also have more nutrients than other candies, Shaw said.
The peanut butter is packed with fats and proteins that will help keep you full for longer.
There are only 150 calories and 18 grams of sugar in three of the nicely wrapped treats.
YumEarth Jelly Beans
A full bag of the ‘beans’ contains 50 calories and 13 grams of sugar. By comparison, there are about 12 grams of sugar in a tablespoon.
In addition to being low in sugar, Shaw is a fan of this brand because they make candy free of allergens like dairy, nuts and soy.
Cadbury mini eggs
There are 160 calories per nine Cadbury mini eggs, which makes a nice handful, Byrne said.
She compares the nutrients and calories in the product, which is similar to ‘what you would get in the same amount of any milk chocolate treat.’
Byrne also enjoys these because they contain a more complex formulation than other candies.
“With chocolate, the advantage is getting a combination of sugar and fat, which can lead to less of a blood sugar spike than a more sugary candy like jelly beans,” she added.
Hershey’s Cookies’N’Cream Polka Dot Easter Eggs
These colorful bites contain only 150 calories and 19 grams of sugar per serving. serving, which is about six candies.
Shaw said the joy she gets from these is emblematic of how you should think about your food.
“Part of having a healthy relationship with food, including Easter candy, means you can keep them in your house, enjoy them occasionally and enjoy the memories,” she said.
Ferrero Collection crispy eggs
The key to this candy is its size, Byrne said. ‘Because each egg is quite small, these are great when you just want something sweet.’
For just 170 calories and 11 grams of added sugar, you can enjoy three eggs filled with the classic Ferrero hazelnut mousse and covered in chocolate.
York Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pattie Egg
If you’re looking for a more refreshing Easter treat, maybe dig some peppermint meatballs out of the Easter basket.
Per two eggs, you will consume only 100 calories, which is much less than other candy bars such as Twix, which have 250 calories per serving. portion.
Twizzlers Eater Bunnies Cherry Candy
These cute bunnies are a great chocolate alternative for Easter. You can eat a total of 16 pieces and only stack 100 calories and 13 grams of sugar.
So you can feed a whole family without feeling guilty.