Tips for a fun and healthy Halloween night!

by Gayla Baer

halloween candy

Healthy and effective tips for your children this Halloween from Shauna Johnson, nutrition instructor at Wellspring (www.wellspringacademies.com).

These tips are great for keeping kids happy, healthy and not overloaded on sugar.

  • Wait to buy your candy.  We tend to eat what’s in the pantry. This year, try waiting until Halloween day to buy your candy or at least hide it somewhere until then. Odds are everyone will be snacking a bit less on this year’s treats.
  • Plan your own activity. Halloween is about having fun, not hoarding stashes of candy. Corn mazes, haunted houses, even planning your own party are activities that take the focus off of sugary treats.
  • Limit the amount you grab. It’s hard to not take a handful of anything that’s free, but limiting your children to only one item at each of your stops is a healthy start.  At the very least, it’s polite for the trick-or-treaters after them.
  • Offer healthy alternatives. Don’t worry about getting toilet-papered, not every house needs to offer candied apples. Gum, hard candy, glow sticks/glow necklaces, and plastic rings are all popular, healthy alternatives to candy with high levels of saturated fat.
  • Ration the amount of candy eaten afterwards. The typical dietary recommendation for candy is a maximum intake of 22 pounds per year for a 12-year-old child** – which can often be eaten in a single night during Halloween. Having the occasional treat is good for you, offer one after a healthy meal, exercising, or finishing homework.

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

411 yellow web pages October 23, 2009 at 2:35 pm

With haloween just around the corner these are great tips, by rationing the amount of candies eaten afterwards during a period of time we can make the enjoyment last.

BMI Formula October 29, 2009 at 12:27 am

These are great tips for you to mention for the upcoming holiday. Paying attention to eating healthy all through the year is key.
.-= BMI Formula´s last blog ..Healthy BMI =-.

Mark November 2, 2009 at 8:52 pm

I didn`t see this before hallowen :(

Reut October 28, 2010 at 7:28 am

Although it’s a post from last year, these great tips are still relevant for this Halloween. Have a fun and healthy Halloween.

naturalemotion September 22, 2011 at 11:38 am

Thanks for sharing nice and help tips of a fun and healthy Halloween night!

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