Easter time is traditionally filled with chocolate in all shapes and sizes, but for toddlers the blood sugar rollercoaster that follows can result in temper tantrums, which leave everyone frazzled. By starting as you mean to go on, you can encourage your toddler to eat healthily at Easter and not automatically expect chocolate Easter eggs as she gets older.
Keeping in mind that it’s hard to avoid chocolate altogether (and a little chocolate is fine as part of a balanced diet), here are my healthy Easter treat ideas:
Healthy options for Easter
- Have your toddler help you make fruit kebabs – make sure you use different colours to appeal to their visual appetite.
- Offer plain homemade popcorn – every toddler loves the anticipation of the ‘pop’!
- Opt for chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids (ie dark chocolate). This means more antioxidants for growing bodies – plus you and your toddler will eat less of it!
- Pancakes with fresh berries or banana and maple syrup make a great Easter Sunday breakfast.
- Chocolate beetroot brownies are a great way to sneak veg in, and create a deliciously moist cake at the same time
- Easter bunny rice cakes: Take a rice cake, spread with hommus or your favourite dip and use this to start making a bunny! Use thin carrot sticks for whiskers, sultanas for eyes, cucumber for ears and a cherry tomato for a nose. Cute!
- For creative fun, use food dye or hand paint boiled eggs
How to reduce the effects of sugar
There will always be times when your toddler eats their fair share of sweet treats. Plan ahead and incorporate some of these tips into her diet on the same day and the sugar fallout will be less harsh:
- Make sure your toddler eats low-glycemic index (GI) starches such as barley, rye, brown rice and quinoa – these will provide a slower release of glucose into the bloodstream.
- Aim for whole grains instead of processed versions. For example use whole oats instead of instant oats as they have a lower GI.
- Fat slows down glucose absorption: a small glass of milk or rice cake with avocado before a treat will help buffer the instant glucose high.
- Add some fibre in to slow down glucose absorption. Before a chocolate, offer a piece of fruit or piece of wholegrain bread with nut butter.
- Ensure your toddler has had some protein before a treat. Protein slows down digestion and results in higher satiety levels. This should result in eating less of the treat!
- Hydration – if your toddler is thirsty when you offer a treat or any food, they will eat more. Always offer a glass of water first
A wonderful option is to take the emphasis away from food at Easter and shift it to other treats such as a new craft, making play dough or a new toy that involves activity as opposed to eating.
