How To Trick Your Kids Into Having A Healthy Halloween

Here are some tips to make sure your Halloween is healthy as it is fun:

First, create a tradition with your kids that shifts the focus off of candy and onto the creative costumes and fun decorations. Create traditions with your family that takes the emphasis off of candy. ‘Trick-or-treating’ isn’t all about the candy. Enjoy being outdoors with other neighbors, having fun and wearing wacky costumes.

Fuel first, then trick-or-treat

It’s easy to skip dinner in the frenzy in between the time the kids come home from school and they want to put their costumes on and dash out the door before other kids grab the good treats and candies.  It’s important before your kids go out that they eat a balanced meal with protein, vegetables and some grains or starchy carbohydrates to keep them full.  

Your kids will have less ability to eat as much candy and junk food.  This will reduce the likelihood of overeating on candy and succumbing to the sugar crash.  By providing the body with the nutrients it needs before going out, will help not only to gorge on less candy, but also will mitigate that sugar spike so it is less severe and deleterious to your body. It also means they are less likely to get tired or cranky or snack on candy along the way.

Set ground rules and expectations for your children

Decide beforehand the rules for trick-or-treating and candy consumption and make sure they are clearly communicated to your kids.  Like not eating candy while walking. If the candy must be consumed at home, it’s easier to keep track of. Having a full meal before trick-or-treating will help with this. This is a perfect opportunity to talk to kids about healthier choices and moderation.  Also, this way your kids are less surprised when you tell them ‘no more’.

Buy your Halloween candy at the last minute

If you are planning to hand out candy, you are much better picking it up much later than sooner.  This way it will not be tempting you and the kids. Also when buying for trick-or-treaters, buy candy you do not like, this way there is less of a chance of temptation for you to eat them.

Use a smaller bag instead of a gigantic pillowcase

The bag will still get filled up in less amount of time, but your kid will have that feeling of accomplishment and abundance that is a part of the holiday.

Walk with them instead of chauffeuring your kids around

Unless safety is an issue, let your kids walk door-to-door instead of driving them around the neighborhood. This gives them some exercise, and it’ll likely reduce the amount of candy they get overall because they’re spending more time walking and less time collecting.  The few hundred calories they burn walking will go a long way to prevent some of the effects of the ensuing sugar binge. Set a goal to count how many houses everyone can walk to, and encourage the kids to wear a pedometer to get them engaged in how active they can be. Make it fun!!

Narrow the options

Once the kids come back there will absolutely be way too much candy.  What to do? Let your kid choose four or five kinds of candies to keep.  Make sure they are specific (i.e. chocolate is too broad).  

Steer them away from the stick and sour candies

Sticky candies stay in contact with the tooth much longer, increasing the likelihood for cavity formation. Sour candies are acidic and wear away tooth enamel.  

Put the candy away in the refrigerator

Out of sight, out of mind. Also cold hard candy is not always the easiest to eat so it could prevent over indulging.

Balance candy with a healthy snack

Every time your kid asks you if they could have some candy, tell them they have to eat something healthy first, like fruit or a glass of water so they have less room for candy.  Also this helps teach your children to identify the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.

Donate the candy 

Teach your children the power of giving by having them make up two piles, one to keep and one to give away to needy families, children’s hospital, senior home or send the treats to the troops abroad.  Better to get rid of the candy you don’t want so you don’t overindulge on stuff you normally wouldn’t buy.  

Trick-or-treat for a cause

Check with local community organizations for Halloween charities and candy donations. 

Teach your kids the value of entrepreneurship

Instead of tossing the candy you don’t want, some dentists have candy buyback programs that will give a few dollars for each pound of candy, which gets donated to the troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.

SAFETY is always most important

Halloween is the day with the most child pedestrian accidents. Make sure to talk about safety before leaving the house. Set rules about only crossing the street at crosswalks, staying with an adult, looking both ways before crossing, and not running up ahead.

Well wishes for a fun-filled Halloween,

Tommy

Disclaimer: The information contained in our website, blog, products or services have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to treat, prevent or cure any disease. Our intent is not to replace any relationship that exists between you and your healthcare provider. Rather our aim is to serve as your guide on your journey to better health and help you reach your health and wellness goals by implementing positive, healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes to help you live and thrive.

Tommy Markov is a Functional Nutrition Professional and Wellness Educator with a Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. He specializes in healing the person, not the condition. He is passionate about uncovering the root cause of his client’s ailments and incorporating an integrative mind-body approach.

Tommy’s knowledge of the interconnectedness of body systems helps him identify imbalances before they manifest into dysfunction and disease, allowing for an effective preventative approach.

Tommy has been working in the health and fitness industry since his 20’s, ranging from health clubs, hospitals, medical practices to currently founding his own thriving practice, Living Wellness Solutions, after overcoming his own health challenges.

Tommy has appeared as a guest and expert speaker on numerous podcasts, speaking events, as well as being a nutrition and supplement consultant. Most recently, Tommy became a proud partner of F.L.O.W. Wellness Center in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he incorporates Functional Medicine and Nutrition along with various other healing modalities and practitioners.