The Skinny
It’s a probably a real good thing that Easter, like Halloween, only comes once a year. This has nothing to do with Easter’s religious connotations, but rather how the holiday has morphed into a Bunny-delivered chocolate and Easter candy blowout. Sure, everyone loves an Easter basket, but they are usually spilling over with heart-clogging, waste-expanding treats. How bad are those Easter baskets with candy treats? Depends on your point of view and how much of any given basket you’re going to munch your way through. WellWell is, of course, around to lend an assist with any decision by breaking out just what a chocolate bunny, handful of jellybeans or a few of those Peeps Marshmallow Chicks holds in terms of calories, fat, carbohydrates and sugars.
The Slate
Let’s assume some basket raider is grabbing four of these spongy, yellow favorites—about 35 grams worth. They’re getting about 110 calories, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of sugar (about half the daily recommended about) and a whole lot of nothing else in terms of vitamins and minerals.
It could be argued that the best part of any Easter Basket is the foil-covered chocolate eggs that litter the bottom of any respectable basket. The nutritional costs (or payback) of munching through just seven of these buggers (about 30 grams) is 160 calories, nine grams of fat, 25 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of sugar and one skinny, little gram of protein. Okay, these seven eggs will also deliver smatterings of calcium, iron and potassium.
Easter baskets and jellybeans are a natural, non-chocolate combo. And ten of them (about 40 grams) is going to register 110 calories, nine grams of fat, one gram of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 21 grams of sugar. Don’t ask about vitamins and minerals.
You’ve got to hand it to the makers of M&Ms. They have been able to tailor these chocolate favorites to fit into almost any holiday. For those wondering, one-quarter cup (about 40 grams) of milk chocolate Easter M&Ms holds a whopping 210 calories, nine grams of fat, five milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, one gram of dietary fiber, 26 grams of sugar and two grams of protein. They also hold a tad of calcium and iron.
If you’re stretching the boundaries of Easter Basket components and tossing in some Smarties, those candy tablets, realize that six small rolls (30 grams) have 120 calories, nine grams of fat, five milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, one gram of dietary fiber and 24 grams of sugar.
If the Easter Bunny decides to drop a Cadbury Crème Egg in your basket, realize this 1.2 ounce (35 gram) treat holds 150 calories, six grams of total fat, including four grams of saturated fat, five milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of sugar and two grams of protein. It also provides hints of calcium and iron.
Chocolate Bunnies
Let’s face it, chocolate bunnies are the headliners when it comes to Easter Baskets. But not all bunnies are created equal. Nutritional read outs differ by maker and chocolate type (dark or milk). But here’s an idea of what to expect.
Munch on about 35 grams of a Hershey’s milk chocolate bunny and you’re looking at 160 calories, nine grams of total fat including six grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 18 grams of sugar, two grams of protein and half a gram of dietary fiber. These 35 grams will also contain some Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.
More of a dark chocolate fan? Well, 40 grams of a Russel Stover’s dark chocolate bunny delivers of 220 calories, 13 total grams of fat, including eight grams of saturated fat, five milligrams of cholesterol, 23 grams of carbohydrates, two grams of dietary fibers, two grams of protein and 20 grams of sugar. You’ll also get a small dip of iron.
Eyes Up
What’s in your basket? Let us know at info@wellwellusa.com
