Tips for "Trick or Treat" Survival
When Halloween arrives in your neighborhood, here are a few tips to help adults and kids alike enjoy the fun while surviving the onslaught of sweet temptations delivered by the bagful.
Boo-tiful candy alternatives for treating the kids while pleasing the parents
• Stickers
• Hand stamps and removable tattoos
• Dimes or nickels (You can actually "save" money this way!)
• Barrettes and ponytail holders for the fairy princesses
• Cool pencils, erasers and crayons for the ghouls and goblins
• Fun plastic rings and jewelry with glitter, gems and even shaped like spiders
• Sugar-free gum
• Granola bars
• Raisins (small boxes)
• Juice boxes (a refreshing treat for hard-working witches and warriors)
Treats for the kids
- Try not to dole candy out piece by piece throughout the day. Repeated exposure to sugar is more likely to cause cavities. Rather, shoot for once a day and have them brush their teeth afterwards.
- Don't let kids hide their candy underneath their beds. They'll be snacking late into the night without brushing their teeth.
- Gently remind kids that candy is not a "grow food." This is why you are asking them to limit themselves to 2 or 3 pieces a day, in order to leave room for plenty of "grow" food.
- Have them count out 30 (or so) pieces they want to keep and give the rest to families less fortunate.
Tricks for the adults
- If you have the tendency to eat most of your Halloween candy before October 31, then refrain from buying until the day before.
- Buy candy you don't like (if there is such a thing!).
- Increase your exercise during this period.
- Opt for dark chocolate (added antioxidants) and look forward to just two small "fun" size pieces in a day.
- Use positive self-talk. If you've nibbled a bit more than you wanted to, say, "No big deal." Make a decision to end the "haunting" and give the candy away