Can Halloween Be Healthy? You Bet!
By Donna Stark
Even though the calendar designates only one day for Halloween, that doesn't mean the festivities (and the sweets) end after 24 hours. With all the prep, parties, trick-or-treating, and leftovers, Halloween should really be considered a season and not just an evening, don't you think? After all, how many times have you found yourself, weeks later, still nibbling on the candy your children brought home? And how many days must go by before your coworkers stop bringing in desserts with chopped up candy bar pieces? Yes, it's a season alright ... so what can you do to survive it and how can you make it healthier for everyone?
Healthy Trick-or-Treating
If you want to make Halloween healthier for everyone, there are some things you can do differently this year. Let's start with the night of all nights when your house is besieged by vampires, ghosts, and princesses. Here are some healthier suggestions for those treats handed out at your door.
- Dark chocolate - Candy made with dark chocolate is a better choice than that which is made of milk chocolate because it has a lower sugar content and additional health benefits that milk chocolate does not.
- Organic fruit snacks - Don't disappoint the trick-or-treaters coming to your door. They want a treat and you can give it to them with organic fruit snacks. Just try to buy as naturally as possible by making sure they are made with real fruit juice.
- Pretzels - Yes, you can be that family and for the record, everyone will love you for it! There is nothing better than being able to pack a bag of pretzels or crackers in your child's lunchbox the day after Halloween instead of a stick of taffy.
Staying Strong at the Office
As for you, it may be difficult heading to the kitchen every morning and seeing those bowls of candy or walking into the office knowing your coworker has been baking all night, so here are some tips on how to get through the day.
- Have your children pick out their favorite candies and donate the rest
- Bag the leftover candy and keep it out of reach
- Keep a friendly distance from coworkers that like to bake (at least until the cupcakes are gone)
- Share those baked goods with somebody else in the office
Can Halloween Be Healthy?
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful, but with Halloween, let's work on keeping it to one day of festivities. There are plenty of other holidays (and treats) to look forward to right around the corner!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Denver, Colo.