Halloween is right around the corner!
Here are 10 Tips for a Fun, Healthy and Less-Sugared Halloween!
1. Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project
Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season.
Paint a pumpkin teal and set it outside of your home to let trick or treaters know that you are handing out goodies like stickers, pencils, bubbles, spider rings, and other toys instead of candy. Be careful to avoid giving very small items that could be a choking hazard to little ones.
You can learn more and purchase a teal pumpkin goodie bag at the FARE website: https://store.foodallergy.org/ProductDetails.asp…
2. Start Your Day With Protein
Begin your day with a healthy smoothie that’s loaded with protein, healthy fats, and phytonutrients; organic eggs; or full-fat Greek yogurt topped with a handful of walnuts (if you ‘re not dairy sensitive). Check out some recipes here: www.kerrymcclure.com
3. Move Your Body
Exercise, dance, yoga, hike, even going for a walk can reduce tension, boost your energy and mood, and decrease your need for a sugar lift.
Other ideas include: a zombie dance party, three-legged monster race, spider crawl or pumpkin toss.
4. Get Enough Sleep
When we are tired, we often turn to sugar and caffeine for a quick boost to help counteract fatigue and exhaustion. Don’t put yourself on this sugar roller coaster—go to bed at the same time each night and give your body the rest it needs. Your immune system will love you for it!
5. Grab a Piece of Fruit
Keep a stock of your favorite fruit handy to help satisfy your sweet tooth.
6. Fill up before trick-or-treating
If kids are full before they go trick-or-treating they will be less tempted and tend to eat fewer pieces of candy afterwards.
7. Keep your favorite treats. Hide or get rid of the rest
A little refined/processed sugar goes a long way. Keep enough candy for one piece a day for 1 or 2 weeks (long enough for the excitement to wane). Throw away, donate or repurpose the rest.
When your child asks for a piece of candy, pair it with a healthy snack: an apple, a banana, some nuts, or celery with peanut butter.
“Buy back” candy from your child with money or tokens they can trade in for a fun activity: a day at the zoo, an afternoon playing at the park, going ice skating, or a day at the pool.
Use it in an arts and crafts project or to decorate a holiday gingerbread house.
If you’re buying Halloween candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters, buy your least favorite ones so that you are not tempted to eat them if you have any left at the end of the night.
Throw it away! And don’t be tempted by the half-priced candy after Halloween!
8. Avoid the Halloween evening all together
Want to avoid candy and masses of kids at your door? Dress your family up in their costumes and go see a movie. Or deliver healthy Halloween treats to your local police and fire stations, nursing home or children’s hospital.
9. Bag it
Find the right size collection bag for your child and try to steer clear of the pillow case option. Encourage your child to only take one piece of candy from each house, then they’ll be able to visit more houses in the neighborhood.
10. Have a plan
Halloween can be a great time to talk with kids about making smart choices, the need for balance and moderation, and how to achieve overall healthy eating. Plan in advance how much candy they’ll be allowed to take at each house, keep and eat. If they’re old enough, let them help decide what to do with excess candy.
What are your favorite Halloween suggestions?
Here’s to a safe, fun and healthy Halloween!!
Sources:
Amy Myers MD: http://www.amymyersmd.com/2015/10/healthy-halloween-tips/
Be Well Newsletter by Dr. Frank Lipman
Time Magazine article: “5 Tips for a Healthy Halloween”
http://healthland.time.com/…/5-tips-for-a-healthy-halloween/
American Heart Association article: “How to Have a Heart-Healthy Halloween” http://www.heart.org/…/How-to-Have-a-Heart-Healthy-Hallowee…
Ask Dr. Sears article: Harmful Effects of Excess Sugar
http://www.askdrsears.com/…/su…/harmful-effects-excess-sugar
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