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Yes, You Can Eat Candy Healthfully. Here's How
As the mom of two boys (with a girl on the way!), I’m always trying to balance feeding my kids the treats they want while helping them maintain diets I know will make them healthy and strong. I’ve come up with a few tried-and-true tips that help keep my family nourished—and not at all deprived:
1. Don't say no!
If you’re constantly forbidding your child to have any of the candy at the birthday or taking away all the sugary cereal they love, you’ll just end up with a very upset and angry kid. It’s OK to indulge in their sweet tooth every now and then as long as you pick better options made with natural, healthier ingredients. I never say "no" to my boys; instead, I direct them to something else that’s just as sweet and sugary but better for mama’s peace of mind.
2. It's all about portion size.
As mindful mamas, we’re pretty good about self-control and limiting our sugar intake. When I give my boys dessert or candy, I serve them smaller portions and help them control their intake.
3. Balance out all the sweets with extra fruits and veggies!
We try to balance out better-for-you sweets with whole fruits and veggies. If Kai or Leo plan to be noshing on a sweet treat that evening at a family gathering, I always make sure to fill breakfast and lunch with lots of greens, fruits, veggies, healthy grains or filling fibrous oats. Healthy eating is all part of a bigger, active lifestyle, so we always make sure the boys get lots of outdoor activity time as well!
4. Making the choice to pick better-for-you sweets.
Whether I’m filling Easter baskets, putting jars around our home for a spring party, or buying a pick-me-up gift for a friend, I choose better-for-you candies. My favorites are Wholesome (current obsession: Surf Sweets). They’re made with organic, non-GMO ingredients, dye-free, made with real cane sugar, and are allergy-friendly! And they taste super flavorful like actual real fruit, instead of being overly sweet and processed. I get mine from Amazon, but you can check out their handy store locator as well!
No one wants to be the mom that doesn’t allow their kid to eat the birthday cake or join in the Easter egg hunt fun. Instead, I choose mindful and organic candies that promote a life full of sweet moments.