6 tips for a healthier Halloween
With Halloween just around the corner, here are some tips to help you find the balance between allowing your kids to enjoy their treats without going overboard.
Halloween is just around the corner, and with that comes all the fun of the festive parties and trick-or-treating. It can be hard as a parent to find the balance between allowing the kids to enjoy their treats while not going overboard. But before you start hiding the pillowcase-sized bag of candy from the kids, check out my Healthy Kids Guide to a nutritious Halloween!
In the week before:
Don't bring any extra treats into the house. Skip the juice, sweetened drinks, and baked goods for the week (or always!). Swap their sweet snack at night for a fruit and yogurt parfait.
Halloween Day:
Knowing that the night will be full of treats, lighten up the rest of the meals. Plan breakfast and lunch to include healthy, fiber-rich choices to help keep kids both satisfied and full. Try these Healthy Kids approved Harvest Muffins and this Crunchy Veggie Chopped Salad
Before it's time for trick or treating, have a discussion about how much candy would be reasonable for kids to eat when they get home. For most kids, a reasonable rule could be the amount that fits in 1 of their hands. Making a plan before heading out for the night could avoid a meltdown later on.
The days after:
Have kids pick a few of their favorite candies to incorporate into a trail mix. Add M&Ms or small peanut butter cups to raisins, whole grain cereal, and nuts for a healthy snack.
Teach your kids the value in giving to those in need. Have kids keep some of their favorite candies, then bring the rest to share with other children at your local Ronald McDonald House. Another great option, ship the candy to Operation Gratitude, and they will use the candy in care packages to send to the U. S. Military.
Enjoy your happy, healthy, Halloween!
Have a question for the Healthy Kids panel? Ask it here. Read more from the Healthy Kids blog »