Andrea, on behalf of Public Health of Seattle and King County, sent us these tips for Trick or Treating that are in the latest King County Health Matters newsletter:
KING COUNTY OFFERS HEALTHIER TREATS FOR HALLOWEEN
Halloween is right around the corner. Wondering how to keep your ghouls and goblins from gorging on candy that they bring home? Parents, try these healthier options from Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Eat a healthy meal before trick-or-treating. Kids are less likely to gorge on candy if they are full. Consider a peanut butter sandwich or some fruit before trick-or-treating.
Offer healthier alternatives. Try sugar-free gum or hard candy — it typically has sugar but no fat. Other great options include individually wrapped packages of raisins, pretzels or trail mix. Kids also love non-food treats like stickers, superballs, temporary tattoos, spider rings and small bottles of bubbles.
Be a role model. Eat candy in moderation yourself. To help avoid temptation, buy candy that you are less likely to eat and make the purchase at the last minute.
Save some for later. Candy usually has a long shelf-life. Put some in the freezer to have later in the year.
Get physical. Use trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities to get your daily dose of physical activity. Kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Cut back on sugar-loaded drinks. With all the extra Halloween candy around your home, pay attention to the total amount of sugar your kids are consuming —it all adds up. Cut back on sugary drinks like sodas, sweetened juices, and energy drinks which can lead to obesity. These sugar-loaded beverages pose hidden health risks for kids including: obesity, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and high blood pressure.
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