Have A Happy, HEALTHFUL, Fun and Safe Halloween!

Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietitian
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 09, 2008

With Halloween around the corner, here are a few tips for a happy and healthy Halloween for you and your family:

1. Consider non-food goodies to pass out to trick-or-treaters (pencils, erasers, stickers, bubbles, toys- make sure that the toys are safe from any choking hazards for young children). This conveys a much more healthful message to our kids and is also helpful for children who have food allergies. There are a lot of children with allergies or other medical conditions who can’t have candy. If you can’t totally give up the candy treats, at least consider having an alternative!
2. Eat a healthy meal or snack before going trick-or-treating: It’s important for children to eat a healthy meal or snack before trick-or-treating so that they’re not collecting all that candy on an empty stomach.
3. Be sure and inspect the goodies: When children get home, go through the goodies and make sure your children only save the ones that are unopened. Also inspect their bag for anything suspicious.
4. Teach you children the value of moderation: A big part of Halloween fun is going out to trick-or-treat and collecting candy. Instead of restricting children from enjoying Halloween goodies, use this occasion as a way of teaching children the value of eating in moderation. Have your children choose a few of their favorite goodies and then save the rest for later. It can also help to have a plan in place before you go trick-or-treating, which can include allowing your child to choose a few treats that he can eat right away, and then putting the rest of the treats away and rationing them for the coming weeks and months.
5. You might consider allowing your child to trade their goodies in for something else they want, like a new game or toy.
6. Remember, there are no "bad" foods, only poor diets. A little extra candy or cookies on Halloween aren't "bad." You simply don't want to allow your children to eat too much of those foods, too often!
7. Remember to brush: Brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating food high in sugar and carbohydrates, especially sticky, gummy foods like caramel candies and raisins.

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