Easter eggs and hot cross buns off the adult menu at Royal Darwin Hospital

ADULT patients at Royal Darwin Hospital will not be given any chocolate Easter eggs or hot cross buns this weekend — with a NT Health spokeswoman saying the traditional treats are not “aligned” with its healthy eating policy.

Royal Darwin Hospital are not keen on the Easter eggs.

ADULT patients at Royal Darwin Hospital will not be given any chocolate Easter eggs or hot cross buns this weekend — with a NT Health spokeswoman saying the traditional treats are not “aligned” with its healthy eating policy.

Darwin Dietitians owner Richard Sager labelled the move as pointless.

He said the menu at RDH was so full of sugar anyway, one small chocolate wouldn’t make any difference.

“If they were worried about the dietary issues of patients, they would be addressing the amount of sugar in their current menu,” he said.

“The avoidance of having one Easter egg as a celebration of goodwill would have no bearing on the health outcomes of patients as the menu already provides up to 100g of sugar before they’ve had lunch.”

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A NT Health spokeswoman confirmed patients would not receive any Easter eggs or hot cross buns with their meals.

Originally, they planned to stop serving eggs to the kids too, but after receiving questions from the NT News, the facility changed its mind.

“A decision has been made that patients in the children’s ward will be getting an Easter egg on Sunday,” she said.

“Previously Royal Darwin Hospital patients have received hot cross buns as an item at either morning or afternoon tea on Easter Sunday.

“Food Services and the Dietetics and Nutrition team work closely together to plan the daily food menu and chose to omit Easter eggs and hot cross buns from the Easter Sunday menu as these items are not aligned with the Top End Health Services Healthy Choices Made Easy food policy.”

The move riled up independent Member for Nelson Gerry Wood, who said it was “nutritionally politically correct to the point of ridiculousness”.

“Surely a little Easter joy in the form of a hot cross bun would not strike fear into the hearts of the dietitians if it was only a special treat,” he said.

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“Hopefully visitors can get through security and bring hot cross buns and Easter eggs.”

Dr Sager said there was a lot of sugar in Easter eggs, and they should be eaten with caution — but there was no reason to shun them altogether.

“I’m going to enjoy some Easter eggs with my family,” he said.

“The healthiest chocolate is the one lowest in sugar, the milk chocolates and the white chocolates have a higher sugar load.”