Five Tips to a Healthier Halloween

Children love Halloween. It’s the time of the year when they get to dress up in their favorite costumes and go around door-to-door with their family and friends collecting free candy! But, let’s face it--Halloween falls last on the list of “healthy holidays.” So how do we cope with it? Banning your children from celebrating Halloween might be extreme, so here are some simple tips to help you make this a healthier Halloween:

1. Avoid buying Halloween candy too early. It may become a temptation for your children before Halloween even starts.

2. Rather than hyping your kids up to go get candy, spend time with them making healthy homemade Halloween treats. Here are some creative ideas: http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/best-halloween-recipes-786790/

3. Give out individually packaged, non-sugary treats such as sunflower seeds, whole grain crackers, granola bars, or nuts to the children coming to your door.

4. Prepare a healthy and tasty snack for your children to eat before they go out trick -or-treating. The less hungry they are, the less likely they are to stuff themselves with candy when they come home.

5. Let your children enjoy some of their candy in moderation. After a day or two, remove what is left over. If you have a problem with wasting, you can always donate it to the candy jar at your office (hopefully your co-workers won’t mind).

Like other holidays, Halloween can be enjoyed using moderation as the key. There are ways to get involved, have fun, incorporate the fall and harvest fruits and vegetables into your diets and focus on the theme and not just the candy. By promoting healthy alternatives, your children will enjoy themselves and you’ll worry less about their health.