How to Enjoy Healthy Halloweens
By Paul Rothbart
The end of October brings Halloween, a fun holiday for kids as well as adults. Parties, costumes, and lots of scary decorations are a fun escape from the daily grind. Of course, Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without candy and lots of it. It's what many kids live for. Filling that trick-or-treat bag with all kinds of sugary goodies. Naturally, none of that candy is healthy, and eating too much of it is bad for your health no matter how old you are. Here's how to stay healthy and still have a great Halloween.
Buy Your Kids a Smaller Bag
The traditional pillowcase is just asking your kids to come home with way more candy than is good for them. Instead, provide them with a smaller, but more fun conveyance for goodies. A plastic pumpkin is popular and suits the holiday. Another great idea is a container that accessorizes their costumes. Encourage children to take just one piece of candy from each house so they can visit more houses. You can even make it a game by setting a goal.
Feed Your Kids a Healthy Meal Before Going Out
Filling your kids up with healthy food before trick-or-treating will help prevent them from gobbling candy as soon as they get it. They will be more inclined to save the candy which you can then dole out over a period of days or longer to prevent excess consumption. Provide water for your children while hitting the streets. It will keep them hydrated and fill them up.
Walk With Your Kids
Unless the weather is excessively bad, walk around your neighborhood with your kids. They will be getting exercise and burning calories. With all the excitement they won't even realize how far they've walked. The exercise will be good for you as well. Very few adults can resist sampling a few candies.
Don't Buy Your Favorite Candies
When purchasing candy to pass out to your little visitors, avoid buying the types you really like. Get things the kids will enjoy, but having your favorites around is just asking for trouble. I know this from firsthand experience. There are some kinds of candy I cannot resist and I may end up eating as much as I give out. Save your waistline.
Halloween is one of the most fun holidays but also closely connected to candy. Enjoy your spooky evening, but take steps to avoid your kids, or you, from overindulging. You can have fun and be healthy at the same time.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Birmingham, Ala.