With Halloween just around the corner, it can seem difficult to keep your family’s health goals in mind. Halloween is a fun holiday meant to be enjoyed, not feared (well, not always). Let’s Move! STL is here to bring you our best tips to keep this Halloween safe and healthy.
Enjoy only factory wrapped candy and treats - While this may seem obvious, it is important to remember that when trick-or-treating, only take treats that have been wrapped in a factory. Safety is the biggest reason to only consume factory-wrapped candy. When it is homemade, you cannot be sure about the ingredients in the treat. That treat may contain allergens, expired ingredients or harmful substances. Additionally, packaged goodies are less likely to contain food-borne illnesses. Consume home-baked goods and unwrapped treats only if you know and trust the person giving it to you.
Munch mindfully - Halloween can be a slippery slope to a tummy-ache and overindulgence. Remind your children (and yourself) to consume just 1-2 small pieces of candy a day and truly savor those sweets. Additional candy can be used as a small treat with lunches or an evening dessert for weeks to come. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids the importance of moderation.
Read food labels - If you have a child with a food allergy, it is imperative that you practice reading food labels with them. If a food item doesn’t have the full ingredient list, you can usually find an ingredient list online. This is another great chance to practice looking through the nutrition facts label with your children. Teach them where to find the amount of sugar in the candy and how to compare it with other candy items.
Psst: Many families and schools are taking part in the Teal Pumpkin Project to signify that they have allergy-friendly treats. Keep your eyes peeled for those teal colored pumpkins throughout the school or city if you have a child with a food allergy.
Fun with food - Take this year to incorporate some fun, healthy foods along with the candy and treats. Create different food art with your kids to get them more interested in fruits and vegetables. You can make mini pumpkins out of oranges, broomsticks out of pretzels and string cheese, ghosts out of bananas, or little monsters with some grapes.
Eat a healthy and balanced ‘pre-game’ meal - Before hitting the streets for trick-or-treating (or trunk-or-treating), have your family eat a balanced meal together. Enjoy each other’s company and the excitement of the night with a healthy dinner. Make sure that the meal includes whole grains, half of the plate as fruits and vegetables, and a lean protein. This will discourage extra snacking on candy and make sure that your family is energized for the spooky evening ahead.
The bottom line is that Halloween is a day to be enjoyed. Enjoy your favorite pieces of candy mindfully, truly savoring each delicious bite. Save the rest of the candy for special treats, by enjoying just a small piece at a time. If your children received excessive amounts of Halloween candy this year, consider having them choose some their favorite candies to keep and donating the rest.
Finally, treats are a wonderful addition to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Halloween is the perfect time to practice balance through healthy meals with candy and treats in moderation this year. Remember to have a spooktacular Halloween!
Enjoy only factory wrapped candy and treats - While this may seem obvious, it is important to remember that when trick-or-treating, only take treats that have been wrapped in a factory. Safety is the biggest reason to only consume factory-wrapped candy. When it is homemade, you cannot be sure about the ingredients in the treat. That treat may contain allergens, expired ingredients or harmful substances. Additionally, packaged goodies are less likely to contain food-borne illnesses. Consume home-baked goods and unwrapped treats only if you know and trust the person giving it to you.
Munch mindfully - Halloween can be a slippery slope to a tummy-ache and overindulgence. Remind your children (and yourself) to consume just 1-2 small pieces of candy a day and truly savor those sweets. Additional candy can be used as a small treat with lunches or an evening dessert for weeks to come. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids the importance of moderation.
Read food labels - If you have a child with a food allergy, it is imperative that you practice reading food labels with them. If a food item doesn’t have the full ingredient list, you can usually find an ingredient list online. This is another great chance to practice looking through the nutrition facts label with your children. Teach them where to find the amount of sugar in the candy and how to compare it with other candy items.
Psst: Many families and schools are taking part in the Teal Pumpkin Project to signify that they have allergy-friendly treats. Keep your eyes peeled for those teal colored pumpkins throughout the school or city if you have a child with a food allergy.
Fun with food - Take this year to incorporate some fun, healthy foods along with the candy and treats. Create different food art with your kids to get them more interested in fruits and vegetables. You can make mini pumpkins out of oranges, broomsticks out of pretzels and string cheese, ghosts out of bananas, or little monsters with some grapes.
Eat a healthy and balanced ‘pre-game’ meal - Before hitting the streets for trick-or-treating (or trunk-or-treating), have your family eat a balanced meal together. Enjoy each other’s company and the excitement of the night with a healthy dinner. Make sure that the meal includes whole grains, half of the plate as fruits and vegetables, and a lean protein. This will discourage extra snacking on candy and make sure that your family is energized for the spooky evening ahead.
The bottom line is that Halloween is a day to be enjoyed. Enjoy your favorite pieces of candy mindfully, truly savoring each delicious bite. Save the rest of the candy for special treats, by enjoying just a small piece at a time. If your children received excessive amounts of Halloween candy this year, consider having them choose some their favorite candies to keep and donating the rest.
Finally, treats are a wonderful addition to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Halloween is the perfect time to practice balance through healthy meals with candy and treats in moderation this year. Remember to have a spooktacular Halloween!
