Tips and tricks for limiting sugar intake on Halloween
With Halloween just around the corner, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation wants to educate children and families on the “Spooky Side of Sugarâ€. A healthy (and ghoulish) Halloween is entirely possible with some additional knowledge and self-control. Tossing back sugar has become the norm in our society, but the repercussions can be frightening. Don’t let its effects haunt you long after Hallows’ Eve…
Fuel up for trick-or-treating
In the midst of the hustle and bustle, slow down and enjoy a healthy dinner with your children. Consider a roast or a simmering soup – a substantial meal that will keep their tummies happy, as they go knocking from door-to-door. In between the costumes and facemasks, take the time to ensure your child is getting the adequate nutrients they need. If your kids feel full while collecting candy, they’ll be less likely to overindulge!
Pause and read the labels
When you’re checking your children’s Halloween candy stash, scan the nutrition labels. Don’t just look for sugar; this ingredient can be disguised as glucose, fructose, syrup, caramel and more! Remember to look for artificial sugars, too. Get rid of those treats! Foods that contain hard-to-pronounce ingredients can actually do more harm to your body than sugar itself. Take a peek into your fridge and look over the food labels of items you have stored, such as salad dressings, tomato sauce, bacon and even sausage.
Toss out leftover candy
It is never a good idea to hold on to piles of sweets. After a couple of weeks, throw away leftover candy. It’s suggested to limit your child’s candy consumption to just one treat a day. Children ages 4 to 8 who average 1,600 calories per day should limit added sugar to about 3 teaspoons (12 grams) a day. With temptation levels at an annual high, monitor your kids and set boundaries – it will do wonders for their health!
Throw a wickedly healthy bash
Shake it up this year and throw a small party for your kids and their friends. It’s a great alternative to the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and comes with many great health benefits. Get festive! Set up a snack table with delicious and healthy Halloween treats; popular staples are child-friendly apple ciders with cinnamon sticks, pumpkin dip and cookies low in sugar content. You’ll be the talk of the town in no time!
Bonus!
Recipe: Ravishing Pumpkin Dip
The must-have dip for a healthier, happier Halloween! Super easy to make and packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and fibre. Kick it up a notch and serve this delightful dip in a mini pumpkin! Cut apples into thin slices (to look like creepy fingers) and you’re set! Vegetarian, gluten-free and low in cholesterol
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 24 apple slice
