The Easter gorge is upon us - with a recent survey showing children will consume 2,000g of sugar over this weekend.
The British survey found that this is more than double the recommended calorie intake, at 1,000g of fat.
Over the long weekend, it found 65% of families will cut into hot cross buns and 34% will devour a slice or two of Easter cake.
But it's not all sugar and spice - Dave and Steve Flynn own The Happy Pear Café, and have a range of cookbooks.
They are known for their healthy options, and Easter is no exception.
The pair, who opening a new outlet in Clondalkin, spoke to Dr Ciara Kelly on Alive and Kicking.
Image: thehappypear.ie
One of their creations is salted caramel truffles made with almond butter, dates and cashew nuts.
"So the base instead of it being digestive biscuits and butter, all it is is almonds, cashews and some dates.
"The caramel...is based around dates and almond butter and then there's a little bit of chocolate on top.
"So the idea is to have your dessert, and it's less guilty: it's really high in fibre which will slow down the sugar release and it'll also fill you up".
"It's just to have your cake and eat it - that's what everyone wants".
The pair have even created a Nutella alternative, called The Nutty Fella.
"Nutella's being getting a bad rap recently because it's so high in sugar and fat and palm oil - I think it's about 9% hazelnuts, whereas this is more than 60% hazelnuts".
Image: thehappypear.ie
For feeding children, the brothers have some simple advice.
"One of the main things is what you buy, your kids will eat - so if you buy junk they'll eat junk.
"Most people don't leave their kids go hungry; when they're not hungry and they'll (ask) 'Can I have something to eat?' and you offer them an apple they go 'No, I just want some of that chocolate cake'.
"Whereas if you let them get hungry, a vegetable soup is suddenly more satiating.
"If you suddenly leave them get a little bit hungry they're not going to die in an hour or two...they'll come back to you and say 'Can I have that soup now, Daddy?'".
They also say smoothies are a great way to get fruit and vegetables into children.
"There's avocado, there's spirulina, there's spinach in it, there's flax seeds to bump up the fibre, there's apple juice to add a bit of sweetness and there's a little bit of chili to give that little bit of kick".
"There's so many healthier alternatives I think that's what it's all about".
