Canadian Diabetes Association offers the following tips for turning trick-or-treating into healthy eating this Halloween:
Sort through the stash: After trick-or-treating, have children go through their bounty and pick out their favourite sweets. Ration them out evenly with snacks or after meals. Halloween treats also make a great addition to packed school lunches. A good "trick" is to pick their least favourite candy for school so that it doesn't get eaten on the way to the school bus.
It doesn't have to be sweet to be a treat: Nobody wants to be the parent who gives out toothbrushes but instead of giving out candy or chips, set an example in your neighbourhood and give out non-food treats like yo-yos, temporary tattoos, magic tricks and dollar store gags.
Walk, don't drive: Staying active is important for any child's development and to help maintain a healthy body weight. Instead of driving through your neighbourhood to trick-or-treat, walk with your child or offer to walk with several of their friends.
Pumpkins and parties: Halloween celebrations aren't all about food. Why not take your child to the pumpkin patch and show them how to carve a traditional jack o' lantern? Use it as an opportunity to throw a Halloween party for them and their friends. Moderate their sugar intake by serving healthy snacks like roasted pumpkin seeds that they can enjoy while they have some "frightful" fun.
Make a healthy meal part of the deal: Eating a balanced meal including vegetables and protein before heading out for Halloween fun will make children less likely to snack on their goodies while they trick or treat. For more information and diabetes resources, visit www.diabetes.ca.
