Candy is makes the top three of what kids think of when they think Halloween. Who doesn’t remember nights of eating so much Halloween candy it made you sick? What about all the Halloween candy that sticks around until Christmas? Even after the trick or treating ends the treating one to sweets does not. While we can overlook our kids eating a bit more candy one night a year, we cannot overlook indulgence which can be unhealthy or that lasts until the New Year. So we need to limit the candy without limiting the fun.
Alternatives to Giving Candy:
I know giving alternatives is not always fun but here are a few things that may change your mind!
Silly Bandz
Play Doh
Stickers
Nickels
Pencils with fun designs
Cute Erasers
Apples
Mini Pumpkins
Sugar Free Candy
Hot Chocolate Packets
While, I do not celebrate Halloween, my kids vote was for Silly Bandz and the best alternative to candy.
Ways to Control the Candy:
Limit the number of homes your child goes to for trick or treating.
Go through your child’s bag and allow him to pick a certain number of candies to eat that night.
Use Halloween leftovers as dessert and not a snack. So instead of ice cream that night offer a piece or two of candy instead.
Throw half the candy away as most likely it will only sit in your cupboard until the next year. If it sits too long you will end up eating more sugar and calories as you pick through it yourself.
Give half the bag to your church so they can give it away as prizes.
Tell your child he can have two pieces of candy a day. However at this point keep in mind the impact if he or she eats dessert or drinks juice.
I know I just took the fun out of Halloween for some of you. However,
Halloween is not an excuse to compromise your health or sugar intake. Limiting is best for all involved.
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