Ask our expert: My children have four Easter eggs on the shelf already and I’m worried about the amount of chocolate they’re going to eat over the Easter weekend – do you have any suggestions? Lisa Barok, Lancaster

You’re not alone, but remember that Easter only comes round once a year and providing your children eat healthily the rest of the year then a weekend of indulgence isn’t going to make a huge difference.

Here are some ideas on how to manage their chocolate intake:

Hide: Put the eggs on a high shelf or in a cupboard so the children can’t reach them (even using a stool!) or see them – out of sight, out of mind.

Beware, though, sweets can mysteriously vanish. I’m really mean and my children’s Halloween cauldron is on the top of the dresser, this is forgotten a day or two after Halloween and by next year it’s always empty.

Ration: Allow them to have a piece every day but only after they have eaten their main meal and only if they are still hungry. You’re not using food as a reward here but asking the children to listen to their tummy and figure out what hungry and full feel like. There will be some occasions when they won’t want chocolate, as they feel full after eating their meal.

Alternatives: Ask relatives and friends to give a small present, a book, colouring pens, jigsaw or game, vouchers or clothes instead of chocolate. One of my friend’s girls love posh flip flops and are always desperate for extra pocket money so they can save up to buy as many as possible for the summer. Even if it’s just 50p or £1 it will encourage children to save up for something they really want.

Choice:Give your children the choice of doing an activity such as swimming, going to the park, cycle ride, walk along the beach or through the woods, ten-pin bowling or on a picnic instead of having an Easter egg.

Overindulgence: At worst if the children eat huge amounts of chocolate they will end up feeling ill and it will probably put them off eating more of the stuff for a while. It doesn’t work with all children but at least it gets it all over and done with in one day. Just make sure they brush their teeth really well that evening and get them back onto good eating habits the next day.

My daughter once ate a whole chocolate orange in about 3 minutes flat when she didn’t think anyone was looking and felt really ill afterwards. She then realized that her brother and sister still had their chocolate oranges and ate them over the next two weeks when she didn’t have any left. They refused to share any with her, too. She now saves it and has one piece a day.

Got a question about children and food? Use the comment box below to post your question for our children's food expert Beverley Glock

For more information visit: www.splatcooking.netand www.beverleyglock.com

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