Health Halloween

Happy Fall

Fall is in full throttle and the celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are around the corner.  These celebrations tend to throw us off track with our healthy eating. 

We are here to help!!

Check out some of these tips and tricks for enjoying your favorite fall celebrations:

1.      Always accompany young children when trick -or- treating.

2.      If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Do not allow your child to eat any home-baked goods he or she may have received.

3.      Examine treats for choking hazards or items that have been tampered with before consumption.

4.      Give your children a full meal before trick – or – treating to prevent them from wanting to snack on candy.

5.      Consider giving out non-food treat items for children who visit your home.

What to Do with Excess Candy

Here are some ideas for enjoying the evening’s haul responsibly and getting rid of leftover candy:

1.      Let each child keep enough candy to have one or two pieces a day for one or two weeks (long enough for the excitement to pass away). Throw away, donate or re-purpose the rest.

2. When your child asks for a piece of candy, pair it with a healthy snack.
3. “Buy back” candy from your child with money or tokens they can trade in for a fun activity: a day at the zoo, an afternoon playing at the park, going ice skating, or a day at the pool.
4. Use it in an arts and crafts project or to decorate a holiday gingerbread house.
5. Donate excess candy to a homeless shelter, children’s hospital, or care package program for troops overseas. A familiar sweet treat from home can be comforting at the holidays.

Have no fear – you got this! Let’s make Halloween fun, spooky, and a little healthier, too.