Easter naturally brings increased exposure to foods such as chocolate and other sweet or celebration foods. If you are a parent struggling trying to navigate the extra chocolate with your little one this Easter, here are 5 ways to keep your cool and support your child’s relationship with food...

1. Remember, chocolate is just food! 

Try not to make it a reward or something to earn. Saying things like ‘you can have chocolate if you eat your dinner’ or ‘only if you’ve been good’ can make it more appealing in the eyes of the child.

2. Avoid overt restriction

Overt restriction means that your child is aware that the chocolate is there, but they are not allowed to have it. The more a child knows a food is off-limits, the more they want it. Instead let them enjoy the chocolate without a fuss, then carry on with your usual food routine.

3. Offer the chocolate alongside other foods

For example alongside a sandwich at lunch time or alongside fruit and cheese at snack time. This helps keep all foods on a level playing field andmoves the temptation to negotiate how much of the other foods should be eaten before the sweet stuff is allowed.  

4. Make celebrations about more than just sweets

Alongside chocolate at Easter include other fun foods such as sandwiches in the shape of a bunny or chick, fruit kebabs or hard-boiled eggs so children see that all foods can be part of the occasion.  

5. Zoom out and focus on the bigger picture
Easter is just a few days. What really matters is how your child eats most of the time. One weekend won’t undo a healthy balanced diet in the longterm.