It’s candy time: tips to keep Halloween healthy

Halloween is right around the corner and we know what that means: bring on the candy. During this time candy seems to be everywhere.

My child is bringing it home from school, receiving it from the neighbors, and picking up some from the counter at the bank.

Most of you have probably seen the grocery shelves filled with different treats to buy to give during Trick or Treat.

I don’t want to bring down the party with my dietitian talk about how candy ruins teeth and is high in empty calories. It provides lots of sugar but no health benefits and could contribute to obesity.

However, as a dietitian parent, I struggle with this time of year.

First, I feel like as a culture we already struggle and are bombarded on a daily basis with unhealthy options.

This seems to escalate this time of year and starts with Halloween.

Secondly, I love this time of year and what it means. It is an exciting time as the leaves change, hayrides are happening, pumpkins are carved and children dream about what they are going to dress up as for Trick or Treat.

It is a time when neighbors all come together for that one street filled night. I don’t what to be the Halloween scrooge.

So what is the answer? I want to save the nostalgia of the season but maybe make it a bit healthier. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Create a candy jar. Any candy your child receives during this season they put into a jar and then one day a week they can choose a few items to consume.

They may receive more than what they are allowed to consume so you can have them share with others or, I know this seems harsh, just throw the rest away.

2. Give out something other than candy at Trick or Treat. There are lots of ideas for “alternative” Trick or Treat items such as pencils, bouncy ball, spider rings, fake tattoos or erasers.

You can also look for alternative food items, such as applesauce packs or boxes of dried fruit.

3. Find some fun Halloween activities that do not involve candy. Roasting pumpkin seeds, painting pumpkins or going on a leaf-finding hike are a few suggestions.

4. For Halloween school or church parties, send one of the alternative items or a healthier treat.

Have you seen the recent statistics of childhood obesity and related diseases? We need to start changing our culture. Many people may say “oh, but this is just once a year.”

The candy was placed on the shelves about a month ago, we still have another month left and there are lots of cultural holidays and events that are “only once a year” and associated with not the healthiest of food (birthday parties, Easter, Christmas, end of the school parties etc.).

So what are you going to give when this year? A “Frozen” tattoo? Me too.