Frequently Asked Questions
What are some healthy Halloween tips and treats?
Treats are part of the Halloween tradition, but many parents worry about how to deal with all that candy. It helps to remember ‘everything in moderation’ and to take a flexible approach. You, along with your children, can work out a plan on how to handle the loot after Halloween. There is no one right approach and each family needs to decide what works best for them.
Here are some simple strategies for before and after trick or treating:
- Have a quick and healthy supper before kids go out trick or treating. For example: serve mini sandwiches, baby carrots and yogurt with fruit. Well fed children will be less likely to over eat treats.
- Cut down on the treats your children collect by limiting the amount of trick or treating. Stay on your street for example.
- Make sure your children know they must have you check the loot for safety. Keep only treats that are in their original wrappers.
- When you are passing out treats give just a few rather than a big handful. Set a good example by limiting the candy you eat. Remember you are a role model.
- Ration your children’s treats over several days. They can select a few pieces from the treat bag to have along with their healthy snack or at meals instead of dessert. It is often best to store the treats out of sight and not in the child’s room.
- Buy back candy for money or a special treat such as a visit to the zoo, stuffed toy or movie evening.
- Replace trick or treating with a party for the children. Plan spooky games and healthy colourful Halloween food for a fun time.
Surprise your trick or treaters this year with some of these items:
- Stickers or temporary tattoos
- Coloured chalk
- Finger puppets or rubber spiders
- Pencils, erasers or pencil toppers
- Individually wrapped clay
- Bubbles and wands
- Yo-yos
- Noisemakers
Think beyond candy for treats that are cool but not sweet:
- Sugarless gum
- Pre packaged cheese and crackers
- Trail mix, nuts, corn nuts
- Granola bars
- Small bags of pretzels or popcorn
- Gold Fish cracker packages
- Individual hot chocolate packages
- Real Fruit leathers
Check out these websites for more Halloween ideas:
Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
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