Anybody who knows me, knows that Halloween is my jam. Glowing pumpkins, ghoulish costumes, witches flying and of course, Frankenstein’s monster. It can only mean one thing…we’re heading into the season of too much sugar and decadence. Don’t get me wrong. I like sugar as much as the next person, but there are ways to still indulge without overdoing it. And don’t forget, the kids are always watching and learning. So give them some good tips for their own future. Let’s dive in.
1. Choose Bite Sized Candy – “Go big or go home” should NOT be the phrase of choice on Halloween. When given the option, try to grab the bite sized candy instead of the full sized version. This way, the kids can choose their favorites and any leftovers won’t be as tempting to you.
2. Make Sure to Have Balanced Meals – With so much sugar available around Halloween and into the next two months, try to balance that sweetness out with other nutritious food items like nuts, fresh veggies or fruit. It’s a great way to incorporate protein, vitamins and minerals into your diet and help offset the candy intake.
3. Hand Out Candy Alternatives – Instead of handing out candy this year, try switching it up with toys. Things like spider rings, pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos, bubbles, squeeze balls, etc. can be a nice change for the kids. You could also hand out items that encourage physical activity like frisbees, jump ropes or hacky sacks. The kids will remember you for something unique and the parents will love you.
4. Eat Dinner Before Trick or Treating – To make the most out of Halloween night, make sure the kids don’t go out on an empty stomach. If possible, have dinner ready beforehand or give them a healthy snack before they leave. If the kids aren’t hungry before heading out to trick or treat, they might be less likely to come home on a sugar high.
5. Have A Plan For The Candy – Help your kids know their boundaries after trick or treating is over. An example would be allowing them to choose three to five small pieces of candy each day and slowly enjoy them. By spreading it out, you can help to curb the sugar highs and lows. And if after a week, there is still candy left, have a plan to make it magically disappear.
Halloween treats don’t have to be off limits. It just takes a little planning and preparation. Give these suggestions a try and see how it turns out.