For health-conscious parents, Halloween can be tricky. Do you
set limits? Do you let kids decide how much to eat? There isn't
just one right answer. Instead, use your best judgment given what
you know about your child's personality and eating habits.
Before kids go trick-or-treating, try to serve a healthy
meal so they're not hungry when the candy starts coming
in.
Kids who generally eat just a couple of pieces and
save the rest might be trusted to decide how much to eat. But if
your child tends to overdo it, consider setting limits.
Here are some more tips for handling the Halloween treats:
- Know how much candy your child has collected and store it
somewhere other than the child's room. Having it so handy can
be an irresistible temptation for many kids.
- Consider being somewhat lenient about candy eating on
Halloween, within reason, and talk about how the rest of the
candy will be handled. Candy and snacks shouldn't get in the
way of kids eating healthy meals.
- If a child is overweight - or you'd just like to reduce
the Halloween stash - consider buying back some or all of the
remaining Halloween candy. This acknowledges the candy belongs to
the child and provides a treat in the form of a little spending
money.
- Be a role model by eating Halloween candy in moderation
yourself. To help avoid temptation, buy your candy at the last
minute and get rid of any leftovers.
- Encourage your child to be mindful of the amount of candy and
snacks eaten - and to stop before feeling full or sick.
You also can offer some alternatives to candy to the
trick-or-treaters who come to your door. Here are some treats to
think about giving out:
- Non-food treats, like stickers, toys, temporary tattoos,
false teeth, little bottles of bubbles and small games, like tiny
decks of cards (party-supply stores can be great sources for
these)
- Snacks such as small bags of pretzels, sugar-free gum, trail
mix, small boxes of raisins, and popcorn
- Sugar-free candy
- Small boxes of cereal
Steer clear of any snacks or toys - like small plastic objects -
that could pose choking hazards to very young children.
And remember that Halloween, like other holidays, is a single
day on the calendar. If your family eats sensibly during the rest
of the year, it will have a more lasting impact than a few days of
overindulgence.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: March 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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