Moderation can bring healthier Halloween for kids
By Charles Christian
Halloween brings fun for kids and also challenges for parents who worry about health in the middle of all the sweet treats.
Dr. Carmen Ford of Peacock Pediatrics said that moderation is key.
“Start by setting limits,” Ford said. “Maybe something like two pieces a day from the buckets or bags of candy they receive can allow them to enjoy the candy while also staying healthier.”
She added that kids also can find creative ways to share their candy with others.
“There are dentist offices in the area that will take donations of candy,” she said. “They will then send that candy overseas to military troops or to those who are less fortunate. So, I think that’s a great lesson for kids.”
Ford said it is fine to splurge during special days like Halloween and other holidays but moderation emphasizes the importance of overall good health to kids.
“Since all candy is pretty much full of sugar, cavities are an obvious risk,” Ford said. “Sugar can also affect kids’ moods, it can affect kids’ sleep, and then overall health in general can be affected by too many sugary snacks and drinks.”
She suggests getting kids into the habit of healthy food and exercise choices all year long to prepare for special treats and events like Halloween.
Ashley Adams, who accompanies her nieces and nephews during trick or treating, has found that helping them sort the candy can allow adults to help set limits on what they consume and how often, both on Halloween night and the days thereafter.
“When you’re a kid, you don’t particularly care that much about good health and sugar intake,” Adams said. “So, it’s a matter of moderation and making sure they don’t just have free rein when it comes to when and how much candy they should eat at one time.”
The American Institute for Cancer Research warns that careless consumption of Halloween candy could add at least 10 pounds over 10 years. High concentrated sugar intake can put kids and adults at risk for 12 types of cancer due to obesity.
Finally, the American Dental Association suggests the “three-day rule.” Guidelines suggest allowing kids to eat the most candy before bed on the night of Halloween, spreading out treats generously on day two and then giving away remaining candy on day three.
