How much chocolate will you indulge in over Easter?
Brits who are set to devour an excess of chocolate this Easter could be putting their health at risk, warns a leading healthcare company today.
AXA PPP healthcare, a leading provider of medical and dental cover, reports that eating just one Easter Egg is the equivalent to four jam doughnuts, and the UK average of 8 chocolate eggs given to youngsters can mean consuming nearly half a kilogram of fat over the holiday period.
Even those who don’t eat the sweet stuff can’t escape the prospect of piling on the pounds this Easter, with one pack of hot cross buns containing a whopping 930 kcal and 20g of fat.
With a quarter of British adults and kids only brushing their teeth once a day and 2 per cent of children never brushing their teeth, Dr John Burke, AXA PPP’s deputy chief medical officer says the often ‘empty calorie’ treats consumed during the Easter season can significantly impact the physical and oral health of adults and youngsters.
Dr Burke comments: “Many love to crack open a chocolate egg at Easter, but it’s important to bear in mind the effect that these seasonal treats can have on your health. With an average medium-sized chocolate egg having around a thousand calories, tuck into the accompanying treats too – for example the two accompanying chocolate bars - and you can nearly double your calorie consumption with very little effort.”
With a ten year old requiring between 1,936 and 2,032 calories on average per day, AXA PPP healthcare also highlights concerns over the amount of chocolate likely to be consumed by children over the Easter holidays. By getting through eight Easter eggs and their treats, youngsters could be adding an extra 16,000 calories to their diet over the Easter period.
“Kids who receive chocolate eggs from family and friends can find themselves gorging on chocolate over the Easter holidays. It takes an average of an hour for the mouth to neutralise the acid caused by eating sugar,so it’s crucial that children remember how important it is to brush their teeth at least twice a day,” continues Dr Burke.
AXA PPP healthcare advises that little changes can make a big difference. A smaller egg can contain just 731, whereas half a dark chocolate egg is just 480 kcals.
“There’s no need to completely give up your traditional chocolate fix at this time, but try to reduce the amount, for example with smaller eggs, and counteract the calories with exercise and fun activity over the Easter break too,” concludes Dr Burke.
Tagged in Diet weight gain