For parents who are trying to curtail their family’s sugar intake, reduce the health risks associated with a growing obesity problem in our children, or just keep the little ones from bouncing off the walls, Halloween can be a scary holiday.
Rachel Willen, chef and creator of the blog Food Fix, offers her personal experience and tips to create a healthy Halloween that won’t disappoint the kids. Here are a few tips to help keep your children healthy:
Think Salty and Savory: Candy is not the only treat that kids crave. Chips, crackers, popcorn and puffed cheese snacks are all high on the list of treats that kids and teens love, and they can be wholesome and much healthier than candy.
Think Refreshing: Last year, Willen says, she used an empty planter she purchased on sale after the season, and filled it with ice and mini bottles of spring water. Willen says it was surprising how many kids were thrilled to have a cool drink while making their rounds. With an icy bottle of water and a crunchy snack to add to their “booty,” there were very few cries of “what, no candy?” To keep your refreshing treats healthy, stick to plain water, flavored and enhanced waters that are sweetened with juice or juice concentrates only, or juice boxes that do not contain any added sugars, corn syrup or sugar substitutes. Smaller portion drinks are more practical and economic as a giveaway.
Trade In Candy: What should you do with all the candy your kids bring home? Negotiate with them to “trade in” their candy for something that they’ve been wanting: a video game, a pair of jeans, a special dinner or just cash toward a higher priced gadget for which they want to save. You can decide, based on your budget, what amount of bartering you are willing to do. Then, go through the treat bag together, letting them choose a set number of goodies to keep, (a week’s worth or some of their favorites), after which they hand over the rest in exchange for their earned gift. Before you toss the loot, try looking for a dentist or orthodontist in your area who runs a candy trade-in program in his or her office. It’s a sweet solution to handling a scary amount of sugar this Halloween.
No comments:
Post a Comment