Happy (Healthy) Halloween

Of course I have to post some healthy tips to get you through Halloween weekend!:

• After you carve out the Jack-O-Lantern, remember that Pumpkin is a very healthy natural food that can be used for baking muffins, cakes and of course, pumpkin pie. You can also dry and toast the seeds for a delicious and nutritious snack.  Make sure to offer some to dad, since they have been shown to be beneficial for prostate health.

• Small bags of pretzels, popcorn, pumpkin seeds and trail mix are great substitutes for candy. Dried fruit, juice boxes, sugarless gum and pre-packed cheese and crackers are also good choices.  (If you decide to give juice boxes, be sure to purchase all natural juices that don't have added sugar.) 

• With food allergies and the childhood obesity epidemic on the forefront, you can always opt to offer non-food items such as spooky stickers, colorful pencils and erasers, novelty toothbrushes, crayons, coloring books or small inexpensive story books as your treat.  

• If you are having a party at your home, prepare foods that are festive, colorful and nutritious. (Be sure the party also includes active games that will help children get the 60 minutes of exercise that they need to get each day.)

• Serve the ‘trick or treating' gang a healthy meal before leaving your house and take along some pretzels and fruit in case they get hungry before returning home.

Don't forget these important safety tips:

• Children should wear brightly colored costumes and carry flashlights so that they are easily seen by motorists.

• Make sure costumes aren't a tripping hazard. (Statistics show that falls are among the most common Halloween-related injuries.)

• Avoid costumes that are too long or that limit visibility, as many masks do.

• Develop a costume theme that incorporates face painting instead of risky masks.

• Avoid oversized, floppy shoes and make sure that sidewalks and stairs are well lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls. 

• Make sure your child understands that candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed.

• Consider keeping your pet in a separate room away from the festivities. (Do the kids know chocolate can sicken or even be poisonous for some types of pets? Keep the sweets away from the pets!)

Once home, go through your child's "loot" to look for any suspicious items and report them promptly to the authorities if found.

Then work out a "deal" (on your terms) with your child to ration the candy. Discuss what constitutes a reasonable amount of treats to consume over a given period of time, with a mandatory (trust, but verify) tooth brushing required after consumption.

Finally, have fun!  Happy Halloween!