Easter and chocolate don’t always go hand-in-hand!

For many people, Easter chocolate is a treat they have to either do without altogether or choose very carefully. Here are some instances where chocolate is not advisable, as well as some appropriate alternative options.

Diabetes

Diabetics need to be mindful of the amount of sugar they consume, especially if they take insulin. Remember that some chocolate, notably milk chocolate, can be a high source of sugar.

Diabetes Québec recommends opting for a small amount of good quality chocolate with a higher cacao content (60% or more), as it usually contains less sugar. You can also try chocolate sweetened with a sugar substitute like maltitol or sorbitol. However, keep in mind that these substitutes can cause tummy upset, especially if the chocolate contains more than 10 grams of the sugar substitute.

Food allergies

Allergies to certain foods (e.g., milk proteins, peanuts, etc.) are severe allergies that can be life threatening. It is therefore important to ensure that the person who is allergic does not consume any foods that contain, or that may have been in contact with, the allergen.

It is possible to buy allergen-free Easter chocolate. It is often made by small companies that specialize in this specific market. For example, they use plant-based milks to replace dairy products, and they guarantee that their company does not use any common allergens, e.g., peanuts, nuts, egg, or soy in its products.

A number of department or grocery stores also offer peanut-free chocolate supplied by companies with certified peanut-free facilities.

What about a non-food treat?

Why not opt for a book, stickers, or a stuffed toy instead of chocolate? They can make a child just as happy. But make sure there are enough to go around, as it’s not unusual even for kids who can eat chocolate to prefer this kind of treat.

Happy Easter!