Apparently, I can't be trusted to buy Easter candy in advance of Easter. I've walked down that road and totally failed. I was at Target last weekend and the Easter section literally sucked me. It was the strangest thing. I mean, I tried to steer my cart away, but it was like some sort of magical vortex that I couldn't turn away from. The next thing I knew, I was walking out of the store with Twizzlers and jelly beans, and Cadbury Eggs.

Walking out of Target with candy wasn't the problem. What happened at home was. I ended up eating all the Twizzlers. I didn't mean to. I was just going to nibble one while I put the groceries away and the next thing I knew, the bag was empty and candy remorse immediately set in.

If you're planning to make Easter baskets for the kids over the next few days and if candy is your weakness, here are a couple of ways to keep yourself from totally pigging out and then dealing with regret afterward.

  • 1

    Treat Yourself

    If you go into basket making with the mindset that you're not going to eat a single piece of candy, you're just going to be disappointed when your willpower fails and you eat a whole bag of Pull & Peel Twizzlers. I speak from experience. Compromise with yourself and allow yourself a taste of whatever candy is your favorite, but only a taste. Not the whole bag!

  • 2

    Educate Yourself About Empty Calories

    I love jelly beans- especially the Jelly Belly and Starburst brands, but let's get this out in the open- jelly beans are the perfect example of 'empty calories.' What this means is that when you eat them, you're dumping a bunch of calories into your body, but you're not getting anything nutritional from them. Yes, they taste delicious, but if you've been trying to stay on track with your weight and health, jelly beans are one of the worst things that you can eat.

  • 3

    Avoid Leftovers

    Ha, I know what you're thinking! Your mind probably instantly jumped to the thought that this is the perfect excuse to stuff your cheeks hamster style with all the leftover candy. What I mean by avoiding leftovers is that you should focus on only buying what you need to fill the baskets you're making and then if there's any candy left over, take it work and share it with mouths other than your own.

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