By:
Shannon Dean
It’s no wonder that Halloween is among the most
eagerly-anticipated family holidays. What kid doesn’t love dressing up and
visiting vibrantly-decorated places where happy people hand out candy? Who can
resist a parade of adorable trick-or-treaters? However, even the most
fun-loving parent can’t help but cringe when kids dump all of their collected
candy onto the living room floor. Although there have been numerous scientific
studies which claim that children’s behavior is not affected by excess sugar, anyone who has witnessed a roomful of
kids jazzed up on sweets would certainly disagree. No one can argue that candy
is both nutritionally void and full of sugar that
contributes to obesity and tooth decay. According to the U.S.D.A. Agricultural
Research Service, some kids already consume an average of 21 teaspoons of sugar per day. Fortunately, there are
many steps that parents can take to make Halloween fun for everyone without
allowing harmful amounts of sugar to
overshadow the fun.
FOCUS ON FUN AND HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES:
Susan Nitzke, Ph.D., a professor of nutritional
sciences suggests that caregivers make a conscious effort to create alternative
Halloween traditions that focus on the activity, not on the treats: “Children
caught up in the excitement of other Halloween activities are less likely to be
focused on the candy,” she says. Some suggestions for fun activities are:
hosting your own Halloween costume or craft party; coordinating a scavenger
hunt (with toys, not candy, for prizes;) participating in candy-free carnivals
offered by many communities; or spinning spooky tunes in the front yard to
entertain passing trick-or-treaters.
A recent Halloween study found that many children
were just as likely to choose toys as candy when given both options, so don’t
sweat offering alternatives. Non-food Halloween items like pencils, stickers,
and temporary tattoos are great choices. You can also offer healthier food
options, like individual packages of graham crackers, mini boxes of raisins,
or sugar-free gum.
LIMIT THE DAMAGE:
No matter how conscious you are about how you spend
Halloween, it’s inevitable that your child will be exposed to at least some
candy. You’ll just need a plan to dispose of any excess. Some parents allow a
few small pieces per day until most of the candy (or the interest) is gone. You
can also offer to trade most of the candy for a bigger, more desirable prize,
like a coveted game or toy. Even offering $5 for all but a few handfuls of
candy is cheaper than filling a cavity and less painful than a toothache.
Dentists suggest letting children eat candy after a meal because the body will
produce more saliva to help neutralize the acids that attach to tiny teeth. The
worst time to eat candy is right before bed. Have kids rinse out their mouths
and brush thoroughly after a candy feast, no matter what time of day. What do
dentists consider the worst candies for teeth? Anything that sticks to the
teeth and stays there – which are items like dots, gummy bears, suckers, and
hard candies. The best choice for “oral clearance” (spends the least amount of
time on teeth) is chocolate because it melts quickly.
If fat and calories are a concern, some popular
candies are better choices than others. Licorice only contains 30 calories per
serving and Hershey’s kisses only have 25. Some chocolate candies like
Peppermint Patties, Junior Mints, and Three Musketeers are significantly lower
in fat than other choices. Snack sized portions are also an option.
PURGE THE EXCESS:
Once you’ve convinced your child to give up the extra
candy, get it out of reach so that it’s no longer a lingering temptation.
Freeze some chocolate bars to melt for s’mores, brownies, or fondue. Consider cutting
up the rest to use as chocolate chips for baked goods intended for military
personnel, teachers, or anyone special to your heart. Packaging up homemade
goodies for others will place the focus on service instead of on
consumption.
USE HALLOWEEN TO STRESS SMART CHOICES, BUT DON’T
DWELL
Halloween is a great time to talk to children about
the importance of making good nutritional choices, but you may not want to
portray that message as one of overwhelming sacrifice. Once you’ve come up with
a workable game plan that allows everyone a little indulgence, explain the
limits, but don’t dwell on them: “If you get too restrictive, they tend to hide
food or snack secretly. Most of the Halloween feeding frenzy is in the first
few days and then it will settle down,” reassures Linda Davenport, a dietician.
Dental director A. Riley Cutler says “Gathering and eating Halloween candy can
be a lot of fun for kids and caregivers alike. You can’t raise a child and take
away everything that is fun. The key is moderation.”
So offer your little spider-man or princess plenty of alternatives, but when they savor their hauls, know that treats in moderation are part of the thrill. Then help them learn to make good choices and figure out a useful way to share or purge the excess.
Alternatives For Trick-Or-Treaters
1. Tiny bottles of bubbles that are sold by the case at the dollar store.
2. Kid-sized water bottles — trick-or-treaters get thirsty and the water will help to keep sugar from sticking to their teeth.
3. Tailgating-type treats. My neighbor’s front yard is the most popular trick-or-treating destination in our neighborhood, but she doesn’t serve candy. Instead, she hands out bulk hot dogs.
4. Glow in the dark bracelets. These are popular with kids and ensure that they are easily seen.
Alternatives For Leftover Candy
1. Immediately recycle it. Have kids quickly pick out their favorite few handfuls of candy. Send items still tightly packaged and sealed right back out the door to the next batch of trick-or-treaters.
2. Package up candy (along with other packaged food items) and create a care package for soldiers that weren’t able to celebrate a traditional Halloween this year.
3. Save many varieties of candy for a Thanksgiving day piñata.
4. Save the hard candy for Christmas gingerbread houses, wreaths, and ornaments.
5. Save a few handfuls of candy for a scavenger hunt on a school holiday.
