Encourage Kids to Eat Smart with a Healthy Easter Basket

Teaching kids to eat healthily can be a challenge, so why not let the Easter Bunny help out?

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity Easter is on its way! Or so goes the famous Easter Bunny song. This Sunday, April 16, 2017, is the annual Christian celebration of Easter. There is a secular tradition that parallels the religious celebration which includes a custom of filling baskets with chocolate. Young children have grown to expect this surprise on Easter morning. Just like Santa Claus, the children believe that a fictitious bunny enters the house while they are asleep; while Santa Claus brings lots of presents, the Easter Bunny brings edible delights like chocolate.

However, we should keep in mind that according to the CDC, “Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States putting kids at risk for poor health. Despite recent declines in the prevalence among preschool-aged children, obesity amongst all children is still too high.” In light of this modern public health issue, should we consider substituting at least some chocolate for healthy treats?

If that suggestion sounds like a good idea to you, we have a few great recipes that use raw nuts and dried fruit to teach your kids to make healthier choices when they are available.

Below are three recipes made for the Healthy Easter Basket:

• Cinnamon-roasted almonds make a delicious sweet treat. This recipe even utilizes egg whites, removing even more fat from the final calorie count. For the final effect bag them up in bright yellow foil and add a colorful Easter bow.

• Fruit caramels are another delicious and healthy alternative to chocolate and marshmallow bunnies. This particular recipe uses a variety of dried fruits as well as nuts to give you more nutrients for your bite. The recipe also utilizes orange juice rather than a dairy product as the cohesive agent, so it’s healthy from start to finish.

• Healthy Almond Joy Bars allow indulgence without guilt. They are “no-bake”, “vegan” and “sugar-free”. If you also want to watch your child’s caffeine and stimulant intake, just substitute carob.

Now that we have given you a few good ideas for substituting healthy snacks in a healthy Easter basket. Easter is only 3 days away and your little ones are depending upon you to not only make their Easter morning memorable and exciting but also nutritious and delicious. We sell many of the ingredients used in those recipes here at Wholesale Nuts and Dried Fruit. Shop at this link now.