03.29.2021

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and has a research background in maternal and child health nutrition and public health, as well as a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.

A Healthy Outlook on Easter 2021

2 min read

Easter competes with Halloween for the biggest candy-consuming holiday. This year, Americans are expected to spend $21.6 billion on all things Easter. Jelly beans, chocolate eggs and Peeps are among the top purchased candies during the holiday – so much that the factory that produces Peeps makes 4 million per day to keep up with the demand. Though it’s okay to have some candy, follow along for healthier basket fillers and activities:

Easter baskets. Easter baskets, like the holiday itself, represent new life. An excellent way to reinforce the idea of new life is through gardening. It may spark your child’s interest in science, growing their own healthy food and getting outdoors. Here are some items to include in an Easter basket that could get your child started:

A child-friendly book about gardening

Biodegradable pots

A variety of herb and flower seeds

Popsicle sticks for markers

Gardening tools

Watering can

For another healthy alternative to a candy-filled basket, consider inexpensive items that encourage your child to get outdoors and moving:

Binoculars

Paint-your-own-kite kit

Street chalk

Jump rope

Frisbee

Whether at home or at the park, these items can fuel kids’ outdoor exploration by discovering interesting birds with binoculars or combining creativity and movement with the kite-decorating kit.

Leftover eggs. Painting eggs is a fun way to boost your child’s creativity and doubles as a family-bonding activity. Here are some healthy ways to utilize your leftover boiled eggs.

Egg breakfast casserole

Egg or tuna salad

Sliced eggs on toasts with avocado and herbs

Deviled eggs

Recipe highlight. Here’s a foolproof deviled egg recipe using half of the yolks and protein-rich Greek yogurt:

Serving Amount

Ingredients

6 eggs
2 tbsp Greek yogurt
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp light mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish: shrimp, dill, small lemon wedge

Instructions

Step 1
Cover eggs in saucepan plus one inch of cold water. Bring to a rolling boil, then remove from heat, cover and let sit for 10 minutes.
Step 2
Peel eggs and cut in half, keeping half of the yolks in a mixing bowl and smashing them.
Step 3
To the yolks, add Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, light mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
Garnish with a sprig of dill, one shrimp and lemon wedge.

A Healthy Outlook on Easter 2021

Serving Amount

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

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