The Professional Expert

Easter Candy

Easter is coming up, so let’s talk candy!

I used to love the little chocolate Easter eggs and the big chocolate bunny. My sister loved the jelly beans and gummies. Obviously I am the chocolate lover, and she just loves the fruit flavors! So we would set up a candy trade on Easter morning.

Now with my own kids, I have one of each. My son just loves the chocolate, and my daughter loves the fruit flavors.

So at Easter, I want to include a little candy in the baskets. But…have you seen what is in that stuff?

Since they are now linking artificial colors and flavors to behavior problems, getting a basket of that stuff in the morning would just be asking for a meltdown at Easter dinner. 

Luckily, there are options out there.

When looking for candy, here are some things to avoid:
Artificial Colors
Artificial Flavors (this includes vanillin)
Preservatives (including BHA, BHT, TBHQ)
Artificial Sweeteners (including Aspartame and sucralose)
High fructose corn syrup

So what is a parent to do? Here are some options:

If you have a health food store near by or a health food section in your local grocery store, start there first. The have some good options.

Now, I realize that “healthy” candy may not taste the same as the stuff found by the checkout stand, but there are a few good options out there.  You may need to try some different brands to see what you and your kids like.

Brands and varieties vary based on where you are in the country, but here are a few things that my kids really like.

Gummi Bears – Let’s Do…Organic - They have a variety of types of gummi stuff
Jelly beans – Sun Ridge Farms Jolly Beans
Lollipops – Yummy Earth –unusual yummy flavors - Just bought a bunch of these online at www.yummyearth.com
Chocolate – Green & Blacks, Newman’s Own, and Tropical Source

I know there are also natural marshmallow options such as from AllerEnergy (www.allerenergy.com), but we haven’t tried them yet.

Some of the traditional brands such as Brach All Natural line or R.M. Palmer may also not have the artificial stuff in them. Read the ingredients list.

Let me know what you found that you really like.

If you are interested in learning more about the links between diet and behavior, check out the Feingold Association at www.feingold.org .

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