When preparing for Easter, concerns about sugar overload run high. Moderation is key during this holiday filled with chocolate bunnies and jellybeans, says Alina Neuberger, M.D., medical director of eMedical Offices in New Jersey. “A common dilemma parents have around Easter is which type of candy to offer their little ones,” she says. “We all know candy is not good for you if eaten regularly, but a holiday-time exception should not be a problem provided that the candy is eaten in moderation." Read on to learn how to pick the best candy options and avoid the worst ones when it comes to Easter candy. DO: Hollow Chocolate Bunnies Indulge in a lighter treat with a hollow bunny this season. “Hollowed bunnies pack a healthier punch than solid or cream-filled chocolates,” says Kristen Smith, Georgia-based registered dietitian and founder of 360 Family Nutrition. "This portion-controlled treat will set you back with fewer calories than solid bunnies and will provide less fat and sugar," says Smith. Also opting for darker chocolate bunnies equates to greater cocoa content which means more flavonoids, an antioxidant linked to many health benefits, including lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improved moods and a reduced risk of blood clots. DON’T: Solid Milk Chocolate Bunnies It may be challenging to resist the temptation of a solid milk chocolate bunny on Easter, but according to registered dietitian, Kristen Smith, the calorie range for these cute treats can exceed your energy needs for two or more meals. For example, a 7-ounce solid milk chocolate bunny contains a whopping 1,100 calories, according to the National Institute for Fitness and Sport. Be strict about your portion control (only eat one ear, for example), opt for a dark chocolate bunny and/or stick with the hollow bunny to reduce your calorie intake during the Easter holiday season. DO: Jelly Beans With Natural Flavorings Choose candy with natural ingredients, free from artificial flavorings during the Easter season. “When it comes to candy, choose jelly beans made without artificial colors,” suggests Andrea Donsky, registered holistic nutritionist and co-founder of NaturallySavvy.com. “Many manufacturers use fruits and vegetables to color and flavor their candy, as well as organic sweeteners and fruit juice. When picking out your favorite jelly bean flavors, check the labels and opt for brands that contain added vitamin C and have natural flavoring,” Donsky recommends. Organic Surf Sweets Jelly Beans (link below) are a good option. DON’T: Hard Candy If you’re a sucker for hard candy and candy ring pops, try to break the habit this Easter. According to Dr. Linda Vidone, a pediatric dentist in Massachusetts and dental director at DentaQuest, hard candy is tough on teeth because it tends to be sucked on at a leisurely pace for an extended period. “This ultimately coats teeth with sugar, and when bacteria comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, it creates acid, which leads to tooth decay,” she says. Additionally, biting down on hard candy could chip or break teeth. DO: Dark Chocolate The good news for chocolate lovers is that a variation of this holiday favorite is on the "eat" list. Deborah Enos, a Washington-based certified nutritionist and health coach, recommends dark chocolate bars with nuts of any kind. Dark chocolate contains a number of minerals, including magnesium and potassium. It’s also loaded with healthy flavanol antioxidants, which have been shown to support a healthy heart and brain. "The nuts are an added protein bonus, because the additional protein will help to keep you feeling full longer and when you stay full longer, there is less chance of going back for more chocolate," reports Enos. DON’T: Peanut Butter Eggs It can be difficult to pass up the delicious mix of chocolate and peanut butter rolled into a perfectly shaped egg during the Easter season, but if you're looking to keep your calorie intake in check, resist this sweet treat. You may think that the peanut butter filling contributes some nourishment, but the nut content is negligible. Just one 31-gram peanut butter egg contains 10 grams of fat and 15 grams of sugar. With only a trace amount of calcium and no vitamin content at all, this one is a surefire candidate for the "don't eat" list. Opt instead for chocolate covered peanuts or almonds made from real nuts and dark chocolate. DO: Trail Mix If this healthy mix of sweet and salty candy is in your Easter basket, dive in. Trail mixes offer a sweet, salty and savory treat during the holiday. Certified nutritionist Deborah Enos recommends combining pumpkin seeds, almonds, dried cherries, shredded coconut and dark chocolate chips. "You’ll stay full on healthy trail mix instead of loading up on Easter candy that is full of other junk," says Enos. Nuts, especially, offer health benefits that can have long-term effects. According to a 2013 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, daily nut eaters have decreased risks of cancer, respiratory diseases and heart disease. DON’T: Crème-Filled Chocolate Eggs Crème-filled chocolate eggs will put a serious dent in your daily calorie intake. Just one small crème egg packs 4 grams of saturated fat and 20 grams of sugar, so it’s easy to overindulge. This Easter favorite offers practically nothing in the way of nutrition and contains artificial coloring. DO: High-Quality Fudge For a candy selection that satisfies your sweet tooth and avoids artificial flavors and additives, fudge is a delicious option. Lose the partially hydrogenated oils found in grocery-store candy bars and instead visit a natural-foods market or local confectionery to find organic, artisan-quality fudge. Good fudge is commonly made with dark chocolate, butter, sugar and honey -- ingredients that are high calorie, but less damaging than the artificial versions found in mass-produced confections. For extra nutrition, choose fudge packed with heart-healthy nuts or dried fruit. Or make a batch of your own homemade fudge as a family activity. You can also buy or make vegan fudge for those who avoid dairy products. DON’T: Chewy and Sticky Candy From gummy bears to caramels, beware of overloading on chewy candy. Beyond the artificial sweeteners and dyes that they contain, chewy sticky treats also wreak havoc on your teeth, pediatric dentist Vidone says. “These chewy treats are particularly damaging because they are high in sugar, spend a prolonged amount of time stuck to teeth and are more difficult for saliva to break down, allowing the bacteria more time to create acid,” she warns. USE CAUTION: Candy Coated Peanut Chocolates During the Easter season, resisting bowls of pretty pastel chocolate-covered peanuts is challenging. If you must splurge, be judicious with candy-coated chocolate-covered peanuts. Even though they have peanuts, which provide some nourishment, they also contain artificial colors and flavoring. What Do YOU Think? Which Easter basket items are your favorites? Do you agree with the items on this list? Can you recommend healthy alternatives or share recipes for healthy homemade Easter treats? Please add your suggestions by leaving a comment below. We’d love to hear from you! 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