By Dr. Michelle Henning, Coastal Pediatrics
Halloween is an exciting night full of fun and treats, and with a little planning your family can enjoy the holiday without letting too many sugary sweets take over. Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, here are a few tricks for a healthy approach to Halloween treats:
- Fill up with healthy food first. Have children eat a well-balanced meal before going out trick-or-treating. A full belly will hopefully discourage overindulging in treats later in the evening.
- Only eat candy at home. Ask children to wait until they are at home before eating any treats. This eliminates the choking risk caused by eating while walking or running and ensures that an adult can check all treats before they are eaten. Any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items should be thrown away.
- Make Halloween last longer. Keep the spirit of the holiday going and keep children from eating too many sweets at once by trying to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween. Leftover candy can also be used to bake cookies or brownies to share with friends.
- Candy isn’t the only treat. Consider having non-food treats for kids with food allergies, other medical conditions or young toddlers who visit your home. Some good treat options include coloring books, pens, crayons, notepads, stickers, stamps, chalk or bubbles. You may also want to encourage your own children to trade in some of their candy collection for these fun alternatives, too.
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About CHKD Medical Group
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been the region’s most trusted name in pediatric care for more than 50 years. As members of CHKD Health System, our pediatricians work closely with CHKD’s full range of pediatric specialists and surgeons. They also share a commitment to quality, excellence and child-centered care. With 18 practices in 29 locations throughout the region, a CHKD pediatrician is never far.