How to handle Halloween treats

Written by Trish Chaput

Here in the US, Halloween is a big deal and it generally means LOTS of candy and other sugary treats.  It’s one thing to enjoy a piece of candy here and there as an occasional treat, but holidays like this can be way over the top.  None of us (adults or children alike) really need to be eating our bodyweight (or more) in sugar.

Well then, you might ask… what in the world to do with ALL this candy?  You could consider donating it to a charitable cause such as “Operation Gratitude”, a candy give-back program that collects and sends donated sweets to deployed troops and first responders.  You might be concerned that this is just passing along the cavities and weight gain to someone else… it’s a fair point, but the key here is that the quantity will be dispersed so that everyone ends up with a more reasonable portion to enjoy!

How can you convince kids to part with their bag of loot?  Get them engaged in the process!  Allow them pick out favorite sweets to keep and those they want to give away.  Encourage them to write a note or make a homemade card for soldiers receiving their gift.  Decide together on a reasonable amount for keeping and agree when / how often they can indulge in their remaining treats.  One piece a day or per week?  As a specific reward?  Have a contest to see how long they can make their stash of goodies last?  Kids can be remarkably creative in coming up with “rules” and are often more likely to follow them if they’ve had input.

For more information on “Operation Gratitude” and to find a drop-off location near you, check out this link:  https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/halloween-candy-for-the-troops/

You can also check with your local dentist as some of them will “buy back” candy from kids.  For more information on “buy-back” programs and to find one in your area, you can check this link:  http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/about.html

No location near you? Consider teaming up with relatives, folks at your local school or other parents in your area to coordinate sending your shared donations to the closest collection point.  There’s also a Halloween tradition used by some parents I know, called the “Switch Witch”… sort of like the tooth fairy, but in this case the kids leave out their pile of candy to be switched for a healthier prize like a desired toy, stickers or a book.

If you are working towards developing healthier habits, losing weight or cutting down on sugar, keep your eye on your goal and stay on track as best you can… your willpower muscle will likely be tested a lot over the coming holidays!  It’s ok to have an occasional treat, especially if you eat well most of the time.  Savor the indulgence by picking things that you really enjoy so that it’s worth it!

You can also use it as an opportunity to pay attention to how you feel, get to know your “triggers” and be mindful of how your overall nutrition is working for you!  You might just find that once you are eating healthier for a while, your taste buds will change and conventional candy will be too sweet and may no longer seem all that appealing.  (It’s happy days when you get that shift!)

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