Did you know that there are health benefits to laughter? 

It’s true— based on current research, laughter really is the best medicine. Many people find that maintaining a sense of humor is useful for a good quality of life. Our sense of humor gives us the ability to find delight, experience joy, and release tension. Additionally, laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease, which makes it an effective self-care tool.

It’s fun sharing tips on how to improve your health with good nutrition through this column each week but this week we are going to put a new spin on it. April Fools is right around the corner and I want to arm you with some practical jokes involving food that will trick your friends and family. 

The purpose is good, clean, kindhearted fun!

Here are some simple pranks that you can whip up with ease:

• Easter egg grapes: Buy some of those little chocolate Easter egg candies (they are about the size of a grape) and unwrap them. Re-wrap white grapes in the foil wrappers that the chocolates came in. Serve in a festive candy dish and wait for the surprise!

• Veggie-filled cupcakes: Prepare cupcake batter per the directions on the box and fill the cupcake pan. Before baking, place a bite size piece of broccoli, cauliflower or whatever veggie you have on hand into each cupcake cup. 

Frost, serve and laugh out loud. Now that’s one way to get you kids to eat their veggies!

• Caramel onions: OK, this one is more acceptable around Halloween, but I thought it was funny so here you go. Instead of using apples to dip in a caramel or candy coating use peeled onions. 

No one will know until they take a bite! Ha!

• Mayo filled donuts: Buy some donuts that don’t have filling in them. Use a plastic sandwich bag with a small hole cut in the corner to fill the donuts with mayonnaise.

• Veggie fake-out: Get an empty donut box and fill it with veggies and ranch dip. Instead of getting donuts you get a sneaky veggie tray. Ha!

• Double-stuffed sandwich cookies: Buy some sandwich cookies and white toothpaste. Remove the cream filling from the sandwich cookies and replace with white toothpaste. Plate it up and serve.

• Candy bowl: This last prank is just irritating. Mix M&M’s, Reece’s Pieces and Skittles candies in one bowl together — weird.

To all of the people who might get pranked this April Fools Day with these pranks, I’m sorry. 

To all the people who are going to execute these pranks, enjoy your healthy laugh. 

Remember, “Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny”- Stephen Hawking

If you have questions or comments about the column, or if you’d like more information feel free to contact me by email at a.price@uky.edu .