HOW TO LIMIT YOUR KIDS’ CANDY ON HALLOWEEN

Halloween is right around the corner, and while it’s a time for fun pumpkin carving and dressing up in costumes, many parents are worried about how much candy will come home with their kids on Oct. 31, and for good reason — there’s a lot of sugar in those plastic pumpkins, totes and other bags of sweet loot.

“There are so many fun things to do for Halloween that have nothing to do with candy,” said Dr. Stephanie Walsh, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life’s medical director. “The holiday should be about getting dressed up with your family and going door to door with your neighbors.”

Walsh, mother to three boys ages 17, 15 and 13, gives out a mix of candy and nonfood items such as glow bracelets, light-up rings and stickers. Other non-candy ideas: bubbles, temporary tattoos, bouncy balls, mini Slinkys and Play-Doh.

The real trick to a delightful Halloween, often overlooked by parents, is making sure kids eat a healthy, satisfying dinner before they rush out the door to go trick-or-treating. If you don’t have time to prepare a full meal, pick up a rotisserie chicken and whip up a quick bowl of brown rice, or another quick dinner choice is making a peanut butter and banana sandwich. And if you don’t have time to eat a meal, give your kids a power snack (such as yogurt and nuts or hummus and vegetables) before heading out the door.

When kids leave with a full stomach, they will have plenty of energy to walk around the block — plus, they’re less likely to binge on sugary treats when they get home.

Also, make sure your kids experience an active Halloween. (Don’t pull your kids in the wagon; have them get out and walk the neighborhood with you.)

For new parents, Halloween could be the cutest holiday. What’s more adorable than a baby football player or lion cub? Even so, Walsh advises against letting your baby or toddler overindulge in Halloween candy. In addition to many types of candy being

choking hazards, the American Heart Association warns against introducing kids ages 2 and under to added sugar. Since kids have a strong preference for sweet flavors, eating added sugars as a baby or toddler encourages a sweet tooth.

Parents, she said, need to remember they are in charge. Just because children return home from an evening of trick-or-treating with huge bundles of candy doesn’t mean they have to eat all of it.

Parents can also schedule a visit from the “Switch Witch,” who will swoop in on Halloween night and snag children’s bags of candy, but leave fun surprises like Hula-Hoops, footballs, Pogo sticks and board games. If you’re planning a visit from the Switch Witch, Walsh suggests letting kids set aside enough candy to have a few pieces for a few days after Halloween.

The typical plastic pumpkin can contain as much as 365 terrifying teaspoons of sugar and a frightful 11,000 calories. That’s the sugar equivalent of 12 double-scoop ice cream cones and the same number of calories recommended for a child to consume in seven days, according to Walsh, so Switch Night can be a good way to limit how much sticks around the house. She also said parents should mention, or in some cases, introduce the Switch Witch concept to their kids before the holiday to avoid catching them off guard Halloween night.

Despite the dangers of eating too much candy, she’s not sure a complete ban on candy is the way to go.

“If you forbid candy altogether on Halloween, it will feel restrictive, and what can happen is the child will end up sneaking candy,” Walsh said. “This can be an opportunity to teach your child moderation and balance.”

Walsh also reminds parents that as with all things, it’s important to set a good example: “Model moderation and balance yourselves, and kids will follow your lead.”

Giving out candy is OK, but be sure to select candies with nutritional value like chocolates (the darker the better). To get your kids involved, take them shopping with you. Let them pick which candy and non-candy your family should provide at the door.

Walsh urges parents to talk to their kids about any changes to this year’s routine before going trick-or-treating, so they know what to expect when they get home.

FILE PHOTO Experts say parents need to remember they are in charge. Just because children return home from an evening of trick-or-treating with huge bundles of candy doesn’t mean they have to eat all of it.

CONTRIBUTED It’s a good idea to make a quick sandwich for the kids before they go out trick-or-treating.