'If the amount you eat leaves you physically uncomfortable, you're missing the point of chocolate'

In large families, children could end up with multiple gifts of eggs. The dietitian advised saving these for a rainy day. File photo: Fiona Hanson/PA

The best way to enjoy a chocolate Easter egg this weekend is without guilt or shame but with a dollop of moderation, dietitians have advised.

Aoife Deane, a registered dietitian at Happy Weight in Cork, summed up her advice as “eat it and love it, or don’t eat it” when it comes to chocolate at this time of year.

“Chocolate is only invented for pleasure,” she said. “So if you're in your head thinking how bad it is for you, or eating an amount that leaves you feeling physically uncomfortable afterwards, you're missing the point.

"When kids are eating chocolate, that is not the time for a nutrition talk.” 

It can be confusing to give young children something to eat while also telling them it is unhealthy, she said.

For adults or older teens she encourages people to focus on the texture or the aroma of chocolate to avoid snacking mindlessly on too many eggs.

“We don’t deserve to be uncomfortable by 6pm, we deserve to use chocolate as a positive,” she said.

Sandra Wilkinson, a CORU-registered dietitian and communications manager with the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute, added: "We often get asked ‘is chocolate bad’.

“And I would never say that about any food, that it’s good or bad, because it’s really the context of how much of it you have and what effect it has on the rest of your diet.” 

She advised managing the treats, saying: 

It’s teaching them about moderation, but don’t feel guilty. You’re not talking about it being a bad food, enjoy it.

“That’s what chocolate is about, it’s about pleasure and family and celebrations. Then it’s putting it in that context and knowing when enough is enough.” 

In large families, children could end up with multiple gifts of eggs. 

She advised saving these for a rainy day. 

“You could use half an egg as a dessert bowl so maybe after dinner chop up a bit of strawberries or bananas and have that fruit in the chocolate bowl. 

"It’s a bit of a novelty and they eat the bowl afterwards,” she said.

Alternatives such as dairy-free or gluten-free eggs are also available for children with allergies.