Halloween is one of those holidays you either love or hate. I always loved to dress up and I remember as a little girl trick or treating around the neighborhood with my friend and sitting on her kitchen floor counting our candy. I can’t remember what I did with all of the candy- I think we traded with each other and ate most of it. I am certain that my parents didn’t feel the same way about candy as parents do today when it comes to our children’s health. They weren’t negligent, the stats for obesity and type 2 diabetes just didn’t exist quite the way they do today. According to the CDC, childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States putting children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is still too high. This isn’t a reason to ban Halloween, but it is a reason to be mindful about how much candy they can have on this holiday.
As a parent, I have thought of creative ways to get my kids to not eat their entire bag of treats. I have traded money for candy or small toys as well as given away bags to the dentist office. But these ploys can backfire and send the message “wow, this candy must be really worth something if mom is going to trade it in for cash!”
Yes, my kids ate candy on Halloween but if they never over did it. They knew that there is nothing worse than a candy induced stomach ache! I told them that they could save some candy for later and that I wouldn’t take it away. I have found the making candy off limits only makes them want it more. So teaching balance and useful limits rather than authoritarian restrictions were the real tricks for this holiday.
Want to make your own healthy treats for your friends and family. Click here for this delicious pumpkin cookie.