How to JumpStart a Healthier Halloween

It’s no trick, one of the spookiest things about this time of year isn’t ghosts or goblins, it’s how unhealthy Halloween treats can be! The shelves at the stores are overflowing with gooey, sugar filled candies that are simply ghoulish for our bodies. Yet you can make this year a healthier and happier Halloween for everyone with these simple tips:
1. Give healthy treats! While you can dodge the sugary candy problem completely by giving out trinket toys (steer clear of small items which may pose a choking hazard for young children), stickers, or kids temporary tattoos, there are some healthier treats that you can hand out when the doorbell rings, such as:
-fruit roll ups, small raisin boxes, sugar free fruit snacks, granola bars, trail mix, healthy single serving cereal boxes, sugar free jell-o or pudding cups, small bags of pretzels, baked chips or sugar free gum just to name a few! And if you decide to hand out traditional candy, limit one piece for each trick-or-treater!
2. Have your child carry a small bag while trick-or-treating. That way, you limit the amount of candy they acquire to what can fit into that bag so when it’s full, it’s time to head home! This will eliminate the problem of acquiring enough candy to feed a small army!
3. Make sure that your child has eaten a well-balanced dinner before setting out trick-or-treating. While it’s ok to indulge a little bit on this holiday with the treats, this will decrease the amount of candy they will want to eat afterwards.
4. Limit how much candy your child (or you!) has in one day! Send one small piece with their lunch or substitute a single piece for dessert. Discuss the reasons for limiting their candy intake and come up with a system that everyone can agree upon! Then keep the candy out of sight and mind, in a secret location so there won’t be any cheating!
Most of all, have a safe Halloween! Always make sure children are supervised by an adult while trick-or-treating, and that they wear bright, reflective clothing., carry flashlights, stay to the side of the road when walking or on the sidewalk, and be careful when crossing streets at all times. And be sure to check all candy, healthy or not, for safety before indulging! Have a Happy, Healthy Halloween, Pierre Part!