07 April 2023 , 09:00
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As the bank holiday weekend rolls around, many Brits look forward to indulging in tasty treats and sweet goodies - but have you considered the calories involved?
While demolishing an Easter egg may seem like a cracking way to get your chocolate fix, health experts have warned that overeating can lead to weight gain and increase your risk of heart disease.
According to Heart Research UK, women should aim to consume around 2,000 kcals daily, while men should target approximately 2,500 kcals each day.
A large egg with three chocolate bars contains a staggering 1,780 calories, almost the entire daily equirement for a woman.
This indulgence would require a three-hour jog or a 15-mile hike taking six hours to burn off, explains an expert at Loughborough University.
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Amanda Daley, a professor of behavioural medicine, has explored the calorie count in popular Easter treats and calculated the amount of exercise required to shift the energy.
A three-hour, 40-minute walk is needed to work off a large Lindt chocolate rabbit, containing around 1,080 calories.
While a bag of mini eggs, totalling around 400 calories, would require a 40-minute run or a walk of more than 80 minutes.
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A large egg with three chocolate bars contains a staggering 1,780 calories (Getty Images)But for those who prefer a juicy hot cross bun and butter, the tangy treat can be walked off in just over an hour, highlights the expert.
The calculations are based on an average person weighing 12st 8lb, with lighter people needing to walk for longer and heavier people burning calories faster.
Professor Daley said: “It's not the hot cross buns we have to worry about burning off so much, but the chocolate... so maybe some Easter flowers instead of an extra egg might be a better alternative.”
She added: “It's holiday time and people need to enjoy themselves, particularly if they've been off chocolate for Lent, but having just one Easter egg might be a good idea, and is more than enough over the bank holiday weekend.”
During the festive season, Professor Daley revealed that people would need a 12-hour walk on Boxing Day to burn off Christmas Day lunch.
Professor Daley also suggests getting rid of leftover chocolate by Tuesday to avoid temptation (Getty Images)She recommends taking daily walks over the bank holiday weekend and keeping note of how many Easter treats you have eaten.
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Professor Daley also suggests getting rid of leftover chocolate by Tuesday to avoid unnecessary temptation after the holiday is over.
If you get the urge to indulge in another Easter egg, she advises waiting until the craving has passed, which could lead you to eating a smaller bit of chocolate later.