Thursday, October 29, 2015

Healthy Halloween Habits

Healthy Halloween Habits


Halloween is a fun, exciting time for kids (and adults) of all ages.  Unfortunately, it also is a time of temptation and over-indulgence of candy and sweets.  Here are some tips on how to survive all the tricks and treats of the season without disrupting good eating habits.

1.  Have a sweet alongside a healthy treat

Having a healthy snack with a piece of candy will help you and your child feel fuller, faster, and reduce the desire for more.  Try sweet fruits that will fulfill the craving for sugar that candy often triggers.

2.  Limit the amount of candy each day

By setting limits on how much candy you or your child can have, you limit the chance of mindlessly grabbing a fourth, fifth, or sixth piece of candy.  It keeps you accountable for how much you're eating in one day.

3.   Freeze it

Put your excess candy in the freezer.  Not only will having it chilled make you eat your treat slower, it also means more work and effort goes into eating each piece of candy.  This will help you  be more conscious of how much you or your children are eating and help you limit how much you're eating in one sitting.

4.  Reduce the amount of candy in your home

After a night of trick or treating, parents are often left to deal with a large candy stash.  Try "buying back" the excess sweets from your kids by offering non-food items like toys, stickers, or activities in exchange for a certain number of candy bars.  This can be a fun game for your children, all while limiting the amount of candy they keep.



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Source
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eating/halloween_hints.html