The Place

Actions

Healthy Easter basket alternatives

Posted at 2:00 PM, Mar 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-26 16:00:18-04

Each year, Easter becomes a more expensive holiday.  With almost 2 ½ billion dollars spent on the holiday, you might want to consider where that money is going.

The truth of the matter is that a lot of those dollars translate into extra empty calories. Here are some of nutritionist Trish Brimhall's tips and ideas for keeping the candy content low and the thoughtful factor high.

  1. Don’t buy candy just because it is festively packaged or cute.
  2. Keep the quantity low when it comes to your favorite candy.
  3. Personalize your purchases to the individual.
  4. Encourage activity and experiences not just calorie consumption.

Here are some Trish's examples of thinking outside a basket of peeps when putting together your Easter baskets.

Sports-lover:  Encouraging outdoor activity is always a healthy way to go.  If you’ve got a serious athlete you might want to add in a water bottle and some hydration options for electrolyte replacement.

Artist:  A few washable paints, sidewalk chalk or other art supplies are always a fun and exciting gift to inspire the artist in your family.  A few healthful snacks to keep them painting for hours on end are fine such as nuts, fruit (fresh or dried) is always a nutritious choice.

Game-lover:  A few fun games or even just some traditional toys are a great way to relax and reduce stress for kids and adults alike!  Some popcorn and dark chocolate provide more nutritious snacks.  Dark chocolate even contains polyphenols that help protect the enamel of your teeth.

Foodie:  A gourmet salsa basket is a fun, fresh surprise that will be a tasty way for everyone to enjoy more veggies and fruit.

Green Thumb:  A little nudge to get things growing indoors or out always improves one’s health.  Growing your own herbs in a window, starting your own sprouts, or trying a few veggies in your yard can be just the ticket to inspire more homemade meals.

Visit www.nutritiousintent.com for more information.