Dear parents, your child’s Easter basket likely contains more than a month’s worth of recommended sugar intake.
A basket with a small hollow chocolate bunny, bag of jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and peanut butter eggs could easily total nearly 900 grams of sugar. That’s about 90 chocolate chip cookies or 23 cans of soda.
The average adult should eat no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day, according to the World Health Organization.
But you don’t have to go without candy completely (because we know most of you won’t), just be aware of portion size, said Kristen Gradney, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If you’re able, buy individually packaged sweets instead of bulk. We all know how easy it is to down a bag of jelly beans.
She recommends following recommended serving sizes, avoiding candy with visible sugar on the outside and eating treats only after meals. Also, make a point to limit sugary drinks, like juice, around the holiday.
Those concerned about calorie counts and fat should avoid filled chocolates (like those with peanut butter or creme), Gradney said.
Here’s a look at how much sugar could be in an Easter basket.
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