Kids & Family

Healthiest Chocolate Easter Eggs for Kids

HealthCastle.com tells us what Easter chocolates are best for our kids, and which varieties are the worst.

Easter is almost here, and for many Palatine-area kids, that also means a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Before filling your child’s basket this year, brush up on some important health facts about chocolate eggs and other candies.

According to dietitan Gloria Tsang, founder of HealthCastle.com, choosing the right chocolate for your child is an important Easter decision.

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"Many big brands produce chocolate eggs specifically for the Easter season," Tsang said. "Since parents are buying products they don't buy the rest of the year, they may not have checked out the ingredients of each product."

Here are HealthCastle.com's top items to watch for when buying chocolate eggs:

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  • Sugar: You know chocolate eggs contain sugar. But you might be surprised that all brands reviewed contain more sugar than cocoa. The key source of sugar is often a candy shell.
 
  • Artificial dyes: Colorful candy shells contain dye, of course. But some contain Yellow No. 5, which may cause hyperactivity in some kids.
 
  • Artificial flavor and wax: Yes, wax. Many branded chocolates use wax in their formulas. Look for brands that skip this "extra" ingredient.

A smart and healthier idea is to purchase your child’s Easter chocolates at a local chocolatier like Morkes Chocolates. If you plan to buy chocolate eggs at the grocery store, look for brands with no candy shells. 

Information provided by HealthCastle.com


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