Teach children healthy habits for Halloween

From Tammy Roberts, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Missouri Extension

It’s hard to think of Halloween as a holiday to practice healthy habits when the goal for most children is to get as much candy as possible for their own private stash. This is a great time to set a good example in your own household and to remember that moderation is one key to a healthy diet.

One way to be a good role model for your children is to set the example by making a healthy choice for what will be passed out at your house on Halloween night. Some examples of Halloween treats you might choose include apples, small boxes of raisins, individual bags of snack mix or pretzels, stickers, Halloween puzzles or pencils.

Make sure your child gets a healthy meal before they go out to the party or trick-or-treating. They will be excited and may not want to eat but you can enhance their appetite by making a festive meal. “Allow your child to make a pumpkin face by spreading grated cheese over a slice of bread. Let them make the face with vegetables they like” said Tammy Roberts from University of Missouri Extension. Place the face under the broiler just until the cheese melts and then serve. Soup is great with sandwiches. You can make a soup tureen by cleaning the insides out of a pumpkin and putting the soup inside. This pumpkin bowl could be used for fruit instead if you prefer.

Balance, variety and moderation are the keys to healthful eating. Halloween is the perfect time to teach moderation. Let your children choose a few pieces of candy to have on Halloween night and then choose a few pieces each day after that. Children need to avoid too many foods and drinks that are high in sugar. “If they are eating too many high sugar foods, they don’t have room for the healthy foods that contain the important nutrients they need for growth and development” said Roberts.

Halloween candy can contribute to tooth decay. In the mouth, there are bacteria. These bacteria like to eat sugar and that produces acid. That acid is what eats away at teeth causing cavities. Since we know that there is a good chance that children will be consuming sugar on Halloween, encourage them to brush their teeth often.

Kids like Halloween because it is a festive day and they get to dress up and get treats. Enjoy the day but don’t forget about moderation.