The costumes are under final preparations, trick or treat bags are at the ready, little ghosts, witches and Hannah Montanas begin to appear at your door. All are in search of candy.
Today is a day filled with memories from our youth and traditions we pass down with glee to our children. One tradition we have to let go is the Halloween candy family free-for-all that occurs between October 31st and Thanksgiving. Americans consumed 23.8lbs of candy per person in 2008. And much of that is digested in the three weeks around Halloween.
Here are some tips for helping your family enjoy Halloween without establishing permanently bad eating habits.
Every thing in moderation. Halloween is fun and eating candy is a big part of it. Candy can be part of a healthy approach to eating if it is not allowed to take center stage. Avoid allowing candy to be consumed before meals or bed time.
Halloween is a single day. Like so many of our traditional celebrations, sometimes they last longer than the day on the calendar. If Halloween is going to be a day where you let your kids eat a considerable amount of candy then make sure you return to sensible limits beginning the day after.
Determine which candy makes the cut. Sit down with your kids and help them to eliminate candy they do not like or that you do not want them to try. Throw away the candy that doesn't make the cut. If you keep it around, someone will eat it.
Set some guidelines. Make an agreement with your children about how much candy they can have each day. 2-3 pieces of candy per day should be enough for most kids. Create some individual baggies of candy that contain the limit for a day. Rather than leave the whole candy bowl available all day long, only put out that day's baggie. Use smaller pieces to include in your child's lunch over the next week.
Role model for your kids. Your kids will follow what you show them. If you are regularly in the treat bowl and not following the guidelines than don't expect them to. Rationing the candy will also help you avoid those extra pounds.
Throw out your excess give-a-way candy. Your children are coming home with bags of candy and you still have 50 pieces you didn't give away. Throw it away. Having large amounts of candy available will only help you rationalize your desire to eat it. "I have to eat it to get rid of it."
Write down how much candy you gave out. Help yourself prepare for next year. Make a note of how much candy you gave out and then adjust next year's candy purchase accordingly. You'll save money and have less leftovers.
Don't pass it off on others. Taking your candy into your workplace to "get rid of it" just helps set others up for nutritional failure. You know first hand the temptation of snacking when you see someone's leftover apple pie on the counter. Don't tempt them by bringing in Halloween candy.
Have a safe Halloween. Drive careful and keep an eye out for the children.
Paul
Paul Dziewisz
Active Personal Fitness
www.ActivePersonalFitness.com
Elevation Boot Camp
www.ElevationBootCamp.com
267.626.7478
"You give us the effort...we'll get you the results."
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