Halloween is an exciting time for kids to dress up in a costume, trick-or-treat, and of course, enjoy some treats.
Janna Banks, MS
Sweets are a part of life, especially Halloween, and may be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Instead of trying to restrict, it can be beneficial to approach the holiday as an opportunity to guide your child to make healthy choices that they can incorporate as they grow into adults.
Janna Banks, MS, Pediatric Dietitian and Diabetes Educator in the Mount Sinai Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, shares eight suggestions on how you can healthily navigate all that candy at Halloween.
- Make sure to enjoy a balanced and satisfying dinner before trick-or-treating so your child has plenty of energy for the fun ahead, and candy can be just one part of their night.
- Buy candy just before Halloween so it is not sitting around the house and you and your kids are not tempted to eat it before you hand it out. If you do buy candy in advance, then keep it out of sight.
- In addition to handing out candy, you can hand out fun items like stickers, toys, or bracelets and kids’ temporary tattoos. This can help to take the focus off of the candy—it’s also a great alternative for trick-or-treaters with have food allergies.
- Take a smaller bag trick-or-treating, and go home when it’s full.
- After trick-or-treating, prioritize and pick out your child’s favorite candy and donate or give the rest away.
- Be mindful how you talk about foods, avoid labels, and use the actual words. For example, use the word “candy” or “cookie” rather than “sweet treat” or “unhealthy food” so your child can enjoy the holiday and not attach negative connotations.
- Don’t deny your kids candy. The more you say no, the more they will want it or hide their candy.
- Empower your children and help them make healthy choices. Offer them a piece of candy at snack time or after a meal, and offer another choice too. The more they are involved, the more they will start to make decisions for themselves and make wise choices.
The Healthy Lifestyle Clinic is a weight management program for children and teens with obesity and obesity-related health complications. Patients receive coordinated care all under one roof from a team of providers, including a dietitian, exercise physiologist, social worker, nurse practitioner, endocrinologist, cardiologist, hepatologist, and adolescent bariatric surgeon.