Curb the candy craze this Halloween
Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for kids, but keeping health and safety in mind is important. With some creativity, you can find fun ways to include some healthy options in the mix, whether trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or having a party with friends.
Here are some tips to ensure a healthier and safer Halloween experience for your family.
Be candy conscious
- Have a healthy meal before your kids go trick-or-treating to reduce their temptation to eat too much candy while walking.
- Talk with the kids about moderation and making smart eating choices. Discuss how much candy they’ll be allowed to take at each house, keep and eat.
- Choose or make a smaller candy collection container for your child — avoid pillowcases. Encourage them to take just one piece of candy at each house in exchange for being able to visit more houses.
- Get some exercise by making Halloween a fun family activity. Walk instead of driving kids from house to house. Make sure to bring water, a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes.
- Inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them. Check the expiration dates and the packaging. Don’t let children eat anything that looks questionable.
Party thoughts
- Serve healthy snacks dressed up in a Halloween theme. Consider banana ghosts, apple monster mouths, carrot witch fingers, candy-corn-colored fruit popsicles or fruit and yogurt parfaits.
- Include physical activities, such as a zombie dance party, three-legged monster race, spider crawl or pumpkin toss.
- Incorporate healthy foods into party activities, such as decorating oranges such as Jack-O-Lanterns and bobbing for apples.
- Don’t forget that cutting back on sugar also includes soda and sugar-sweetened beverages. Offer water, 100% fruit juice or low-fat milk instead.
For the crew at home
- Give out healthier treats or non-edible items. Some choices could include oranges, 100% juice boxes, snack-sized packages of pretzels, popcorn or mixed nuts, bouncy balls, temporary tattoos, spider rings or slime.
- Hand out one treat to each trick-or-treater instead of letting them decide how much to take. This is healthier for them and can also help you control your Halloween budget!
Dealing with leftovers
- Let each child keep enough candy to have one or two pieces a day for one or two weeks. Donate or repurpose the rest.
- Save the candy to fill a piñata at the next birthday celebration or use some as Christmas stocking stuffers.
- Save some of the candy for upcoming holiday baking.