Keep your family healthy this Halloween.
As Halloween approaches, children are showered with candy at every turn. Is there a way to enjoy the holiday without derailing your family’s healthy habits? These tips can reduce the sugar buzz and keep kids (and you!) on a healthy track.
Host a party. If you are in charge, you can pick the treats: veggies and dip or apple cider are fun and nutritious. Bobbing for apples or making candy from scratch slows consumption while providing a meaningful reward – and you control the ingredients.
Remember to hydrate. Running around in pursuit of goodies makes kids thirsty. Offer a thermos of water or 100 percent juice boxes so everyone stays hydrated throughout the evening.
Fill ‘em up. Prior to heading out on the candy trail, provide a square meal. Well-fed children are less likely to pig out on candy as they walk.
Downsize the candy bag. A decorated lunch bag or a traditional plastic jack-o’-lantern basket holds a lot less candy than a pillow case. Urge kids to wait until they have returned home to start gobbling. That way, you can sort through the stash and eliminate the worst offenders.
Emphasize the positive. Tie on some good sneakers and make treat-or-treating an exercise experience. Set a brisk walking pace for your group or take a detour through a haunted house event for an active break from the candy binge.
Model good eating habits. If you exercise restraint, your children are more likely to do the same. Find a venue that accepts candy donations or even buy-back programs which are increasingly popular at dentist offices. Some children opt to trade candy for rewards like toys, books or money. Don’t hesitate to throw it away!
End the night right. Whatever you do, make sure that children brush teeth and floss before bed. Plenty of water flushes out the body and decreases sugar-induced sleeplessness.
For a fun, fit Halloween, take control and set limits; your family will thank you later. Have questions or concerns? Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service 24 hours a day at 1-800-445-3392.
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Tricks or Treats: Safety Tips for Halloween
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