Copperfield Sun - News
Healthy Halloween: Tips for keeping the candy intake in check
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| Hannah Montana digs through her bounty of sugary sweets after a night of Trick or Treating. Healthier options are available for parents to utilize this Halloween, however. |
By VAL CLIFTON
It’s that time of year where the thought processes of children nationwide narrow down into one awe-inspiring focus: candy, candy, candy.
But while Halloween is 20 percent dressing up and 80 percent coming home with a pillowcase full of sweets, parents can curtail the sugar intake of their children without confiscating their loot.
Through a tried-and-true method that she’s used on her daughter, Dietitian Gloria Tsang, founder of online nutrition community HealthCastle.com, came up with a system that minimizes the nutritional and dental impact of Trick or Treating.
“It’s important to realize that Halloween is for kids,” Tsang said. “It’s really something that they’re looking forward to so it’s something that we should let them enjoy it.”
Trying to pull a fast one on the kiddos isn’t always the best route to take when trying to inspire healthy thoughts. Prior to pig out, parents should discuss the plan of action.
“Negotiate and let them know what you are going to do with the treats,” said Tsang.
On Halloween, she talks to her daughter and after, they decide on the amount of treats they can have that night. She then divides the candy into Ziploc bags and writes down what week they can be eaten.
“This way, she knows that it is not just for one night and she can enjoy it longer,” Tsang said.
Tsang said she also gets her daughter to trade the food she doesn’t like for healthier options, and encourages her to share with family members or donate it to a local food bank.
Because in her experience, most parents buy the candy that has the biggest bang for the buck, the likelihood of receiving healthy treats is slim.
“Let them know that you will screen their treats,” Tsang said. “ I take away candies that contain hydrogenated trans fat or if I feel it won’t be healthy for them.”
She emphasized the importance of having children eat a light dinner prior to beginning the Trick or Treat journey so that hunger upon their return home doesn’t prompt them to devour an excessive amount of candy. Those who know the marathon will last more than 90 minutes should have a few healthy snacks in tow so their children can refuel.
Trick or Treath
Dietician Gloria Tsang offers her tips for making Halloween a little healthier.
Screen treats for safety and health: You already remove and discard anything that’s not properly wrapped. Take the opportunity during your sort to pull out the worst trick-or-treat offenders: fried chips, sticky candies that are hardest on teeth, and anything containing hydrogenated shortening or oil.
Share or donate: Cut your child’s candy consumption by encouraging them to donate a portion of their candy to the food bank, or share with family members. They can feel like they’re taking positive action, rather than being deprived.
? Split and save: It’s tempting to gorge on a huge pile of treats. Teach your kids how to make good things last by splitting their haul into several smaller portions stored in Ziploc bags. Each week, they’ll have a whole new supply of candy to enjoy.
? Trade up: Set up a trading station with some of your kids’ favorite healthy treats, like dried fruit, packaged fruit bowls, or good-quality dark chocolate squares (at least 60 percent cocoa). Encourage them to trade-in their least-favorite candies for healthy treats they know they loveTreating a little less sugary.
But while Halloween is 20 percent dressing up and 80 percent coming home with a pillowcase full of sweets, parents can curtail the sugar intake of their children without confiscating their loot.
Through a tried-and-true method that she’s used on her daughter, Dietitian Gloria Tsang, founder of online nutrition community HealthCastle.com, came up with a system that minimizes the nutritional and dental impact of Trick or Treating.
“It’s important to realize that Halloween is for kids,” Tsang said. “It’s really something that they’re looking forward to so it’s something that we should let them enjoy it.”
Trying to pull a fast one on the kiddos isn’t always the best route to take when trying to inspire healthy thoughts. Prior to pig out, parents should discuss the plan of action.
“Negotiate and let them know what you are going to do with the treats,” said Tsang.
On Halloween, she talks to her daughter and after, they decide on the amount of treats they can have that night. She then divides the candy into Ziploc bags and writes down what week they can be eaten.
“This way, she knows that it is not just for one night and she can enjoy it longer,” Tsang said.
Tsang said she also gets her daughter to trade the food she doesn’t like for healthier options, and encourages her to share with family members or donate it to a local food bank.
Because in her experience, most parents buy the candy that has the biggest bang for the buck, the likelihood of receiving healthy treats is slim.
“Let them know that you will screen their treats,” Tsang said. “ I take away candies that contain hydrogenated trans fat or if I feel it won’t be healthy for them.”
She emphasized the importance of having children eat a light dinner prior to beginning the Trick or Treat journey so that hunger upon their return home doesn’t prompt them to devour an excessive amount of candy. Those who know the marathon will last more than 90 minutes should have a few healthy snacks in tow so their children can refuel.
Trick or Treath
Dietician Gloria Tsang offers her tips for making Halloween a little healthier.
Screen treats for safety and health: You already remove and discard anything that’s not properly wrapped. Take the opportunity during your sort to pull out the worst trick-or-treat offenders: fried chips, sticky candies that are hardest on teeth, and anything containing hydrogenated shortening or oil.
Share or donate: Cut your child’s candy consumption by encouraging them to donate a portion of their candy to the food bank, or share with family members. They can feel like they’re taking positive action, rather than being deprived.
? Split and save: It’s tempting to gorge on a huge pile of treats. Teach your kids how to make good things last by splitting their haul into several smaller portions stored in Ziploc bags. Each week, they’ll have a whole new supply of candy to enjoy.
? Trade up: Set up a trading station with some of your kids’ favorite healthy treats, like dried fruit, packaged fruit bowls, or good-quality dark chocolate squares (at least 60 percent cocoa). Encourage them to trade-in their least-favorite candies for healthy treats they know they loveTreating a little less sugary.
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