We all want to relax and enjoy a treat over the Easter holidays, but here are our top tips to help avoid overindulging your little ones with too much chocolate…

Top tip number 1

 Easter can be a tempting time to spoil children with over sized chocolate eggs and indulgent food. Pester power can also be strong when there’s so many shiny wrapped Easter eggs in the supermarket and on our high streets. Sugary foods offer little other nutrients (‘empty calories’) and can even damage children’s teeth. They aren’t needed as an energy source, so it’s sensible to limit these foods. Instead of chocolate, try and focus on other Easter themed activities like art and craft ideas; for example decorating and drawing Easter chicks and bunnies, rather than on eating too many Easter eggs!

Top tip number 2

Don’t let young children graze  on chocolate all day over Easter. Try and stick to their usual eating routine. Snacking on nutritious snacks is still important, and offers them an energy boost until their next meal. 2 snacks each day are generally recommended for growing toddlers. For a chocolate fix try the Kiddylicious chocolate splashed rice cakes (suitable from 12 months), they contain wholegrain rice and are portion controlled. Or the Kiddylicious fruit wriggles, as they provide 1 of their 5 a day.

Top tip number 3

Spring is a good time to get children active outdoors whether in your garden or local park. You could help them to organise an egg and spoon race with friends or try hunting for different insects, or learning the names of common flowers. Introducing children to gardening at a young age is good to help them understand where their food comes from. For example, try growing a salad crop to increase their interest in healthy food.