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sugar . But enjoying Halloween can be much more than just about having candy , like taking part in games and activities in your community .
Hold the sugar
What does it look like when a younger child has had too much sugar ?
“ It can really affect their attention span . There ’ s a lot of hyperactivity going on with that ,” said Ms . Brizzolara . “ Sometimes they can have that sugar crash where they ’ re very sluggish and kind of grumpy and wanting to sleep .”
Does that ever happen to you ?
There ’ s even more bad news about eating too much sugar :
“ The biggest thing I see is a lot of is childhood obesity ( weighing too much ), and the more sugar kids have the less they want to eat their real food ,” said Ms . Brizzolara . “ Of course , everyone would love to have a candy bar over a salad or vegetables , but we need to talk about why the healthy foods are important and why we need to have those more
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often . Adults should focus on the benefits of real food over candy , which is just a treat .”
Parents are the gatekeepers
For many families , it ’ s a good idea to let a child have a couple pieces of candy on Halloween night to enjoy . And then maybe a couple nights after they can choose a few more pieces . But after that it might be a good idea for mom and dad to do something else with the candy , like put it away or give it to someone else . Your local homeless shelter or an adult care facility might like some candy for their residents . It ’ s not a good idea to continue to eat Halloween candy every day for the next month or two . That ’ s a lot of sugar .
According to Ms . Brizzolara , selecting that piece of candy on Halloween night or in the days after the holiday depends on the age of the child and the candy .
Ms . Brizzolara suggests “ I would let them have real candy ( without artificial flavors and additives ) and let them enjoy it ,” she said . “ We don ’ t want to
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overdo it . And once it ’ s done , it ’ s done .”
She points out that it ’ s up to parents to keep kids from having too much sugar .
“ There are king bars and all those different candy bar sizes . So , it ’ s up to the parents to choose , but I would just say be sure to help the kids enjoy in moderation . And don ’ t make the whole holiday about candy ; make it about the fun events and the excitement rather than just one thing .”
Candy alternatives
If you are handing out Halloween treats at your house , you don ’ t have to make it all about sugar . So , what are the other options ? Some people will give little cars , toys , or individually wrapped snacks that ’ s aren ’ t candy . That includes little packages of popcorn or nuts . There are all kinds of individually
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wrapped food options that can be fun ideas at Halloween .
“ I have seen people giving little toys instead of candy , which is a fun idea , especially for those kids who have food allergies ,” said Ms . Brizzolara .
This Halloween , you can go out with your friends , go trick-or-treating and enjoy the fun of the spookiest night of the year . But don ’ t expect to eat all of that candy in the days and weeks after Oct . 31 . It ’ s not good for you . When it comes to Halloween candy , keep a little , share a little and let your parents decide the best options . And every ghost or goblin would agree : don ’ t forget to eat your vegetables !
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