Religious and cultural holidays often go hand-in-hand with the buying, baking and communal enjoyment of certain dishes and foods.
Like many events celebrated in the UAE, Easter is no exception. The Christian celebration, which starts with Maundy Thursday and culminates with Easter Sunday on April 20, has long had close links to foods and treats central to the weekend's observations and enjoyment.
Top of the list of these special culinary treats are the chocolate eggs traditionally given to children (and adults) on Easter Sunday, either gifted by friends and family or ostensibly left by the Easter bunny. But it’s not only eggs that get eaten, there’s also chocolate bunnies, iced biscuits, simnel cake, hot cross buns, chocolate nests and much more. With an abundance of delicious and sugary foods on offer, overindulgence can be a real concern.
“Nutritional science encourages us to look beyond black-and-white labels and consider food within the context of overall dietary patterns, portion sizes and nutrient composition,” says Vibha Bajpaiee, clinical dietitian at Aster Clinic in Bur Dubai. “It's important to recognise that not all chocolate is created equal. There’s a significant nutritional difference between minimally processed dark chocolate and mass-produced milk chocolate confections that are high in added sugars and fats.”
The health benefits of choosing your chocolate
Of the three most popular types of chocolate – milk, white and dark – the majority of Easter eggs are made from milk chocolate. All milk chocolate contains cocoa, milk and sugar, with the proportion of the ingredients varying across different brands. While cocoa itself has myriad health benefits when eaten in moderation, the sugar content in Easter treats is the information to seek when it comes to nutritional information.
“Cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate, contains biologically active phenolic compounds,” says Bajpaiee. “Dark chocolate contains the highest concentration of cocoa, so dark chocolate’s antioxidant potential may have a range of health benefits. Milk chocolate, in contrast, contains lower cocoa content and higher levels of added sugar, milk fats and often more saturated fat, making it more energy-dense with fewer nutritional benefits. So, we can say, some chocolates are ‘better’ than others from a nutritional standpoint.”
According to a 2019 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, cocoa has been associated with health benefits that may include improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure and “bad cholesterol”, reducing inflammation and reducing insulin resistance.
“Sugar starts affecting teeth within 20 seconds of consuming it,” says Dr Carla Cyrino, general and cosmetic dentist at Cornerstone Clinic. “Sugars feed the harmful bacteria in the oral microbiome, and these bacteria produce acids that erode our tooth enamel. As acid wears down the surface of the teeth, cavities begin to form.”
She adds: “That’s why it’s better to choose dark chocolate – it not only contains less sugar, but it's also rich in antioxidants.”
How many calories are in popular Easter eggs?
Health guidelines in the UK suggest the recommended daily intake for men as 2,500 calories, 2,000 for women and between 1,600 to 2,000 for children, depending on gender and age. In the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention website features a useful tool to help calculate daily calorie requirements based on age, gender, weight and activity level.
When choosing Easter eggs, experts agree that treats with a high cocoa content and lower sugar are the healthier choices.
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
“Avoid sugary gummies, toffees, marshmallows and candies,” says Dr Cyrino. “Gummy sweets are particularly harmful because they’re not only high in sugar, but also sticky, which makes them cling to tooth surfaces longer. Sticky foods in general require special attention because they adhere more easily to the teeth.”
Adds Bajpaiee: “Chocolates with added nutrient-rich ingredients like nuts or seeds can be a better option than those filled with caramel or fondant creams.”
Options on how to have a healthier Easter
If concerned that you or your children are eating too much sugar, moving the focus from food to shared events and activities is a great way to partake in the fun without fear of a sugar spike or crash.
Easter baskets can be made together as a fun arts and craft activity, then filled with small toys and gifts rather than sweets. For those who love to bake, seek out savoury Easter-themed dishes from around the world to cook together. Easter activities such as making an Easter wreath for the home, egg painting or planting flowers, fruits or vegetables associated with spring are another ideal way to shift the focus from food.
“Children’s long-term health is influenced far more by their everyday eating habits than what they consume on a holiday like Easter," says Bajpaiee. "Allowing children to enjoy seasonal foods in a relaxed, guilt-free way may be protective in the long run. It helps foster a positive relationship with food, reduces the risk of binge-restrict cycles, and teaches children that enjoyment and nourishment can coexist.
'We should focus on creating a healthy, flexible food environment that leaves space for joy, tradition and treats.”
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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BLACKBERRY
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Leading all-time NBA scorers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
