Shocking Sugar Consumption For Halloween
Halloween is known for many things. Things such as dressing in costume, going to haunted houses, pumpkin carving, fun parties, and candy. Lots of candy and treats. All of that candy adds up to some shocking sugar consumption for Halloween. How shocking? Well, it’s not just a couple of tablespoons and it has pediatricians in Southwest Florida offering some health advice.
The amount of sugar the average person consumes during Halloween is staggering. And it’s just the beginning of what is is store for the holidays
The average child will eat about three cups of sugar on Halloween. Fort Myers pediatrician Dr. Annette St. Pierre-MacKoul, has a few tips to help cut down while still having fun and enjoying the spoils of the season.
She says an easy way to start is to make sure your kids eat a well balanced meal or healthy snack before trick or treating and other Halloween events. If they are full, they may eat less candy. Especially if they are full with food that is good for them. The pediatrician is also a mother of three, so she has experience on both sides of the coin.
Sugar Consumption For Halloween
Dr. St. Pierre-MacKoul would limit the amount of candy her kids ate after trick or treating to just two pieces that night. Same for the following days. After a week, the remaining candy was donated to a food bank or sent to the troops overseas. “Over the years, we got tons of thank you letters,” she says.
Part of the fun of trick or treating is coming home, dumping the bag on the floor and pawing through to see what you scored. Dr. St. Pierre-MacKoul, suggests parents participate. Not just to swipe a piece of candy or two, but also look for things that could potentially be hazardous or that don’t look right. She suggests always removing fruit. It might look good but can never tell if it has been tampered with.
Here is another quick rule-of-thumb from Dr. St. Pierre-MacKoul, “You need to brush your teeth within 15-20 minutes of eating candy. Keep those sugar bugs away from the teeth.” Happy Halloween.
9 Worst Trick or Treat Handouts for Halloween
Key Chains
Keychains are handy, but they’re not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that’s sweet, not stuff for keys they don’t have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.
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Hygiene Products
We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It’s a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It’s like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it’s not exactly exciting.
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Loose Change
Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they’re seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they’re exciting/cool enough). Unless, you’re giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.
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Trail Mix
Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren’t exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They’re hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.
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Coupons
Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don’t make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don’t really make the cut.
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Brochures or Pamphlets
Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that’s not Halloween.
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Toothbrushes and Dental Floss
Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid’s stash of treats, you’re basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it’s safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?
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Unwrapped Candy
Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That’s just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it’s not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it’s just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child’s candy.
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Homemade Treats
Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don’t really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you’re trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.
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