Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Have A Happy, HEALTHFUL, Fun and Safe Halloween!


All year we try help our children choose health-promoting food... more antioxidants, more Vitamin D, less HFCS, no trans fats, and on and on.  We read labels and cook so we can eat family meals.  We look for deep reds and dark greens to provide vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.  We steam, we bake, and we don't fry. Then why do we abandon all our efforts on Halloween? 
Before we think about WHAT we can do instead of having candy, candy and more candy, let us find motivation for making change from research about food colorings and refined added sugars.  Research published in the Lancet, a British medical journal, in recent years indicated that food colorings and the food additive sodium benzoate led to an increase in hyperactive behavior in both preschoolers and school age children.  Most food with added colors generally are NOT essential (or necessary in any way) for health. This includes candy-especially vibrant colored candy such as lollipops, Starbursts, Skittles, M&Ms, etc  (It’s amazing to think how many different candy kids will accept and how few veggies some are willing to accept- many the same color!)  This year as you begin to purchase your halloween costumes and decoration, rethink what you can give out as "treats"... kids LOVE non-food items as much as candy!  (see side bar for ideas) or more healthful choices like pretzels or graham crackers. 

Research regarding sugar and hyperactivity has never been conclusive.  The most solid research suggests that the issue is the relationship of sugar (carbohydrate)  to protein in the diet.  Too many carbs and not enough protein leads to hyperactivity.  But even if you pile on the chicken, beans, eggs or peanut butter before Trick-or-Treating, you will not reduce the health risks of sugar.

The American Heart Association, a very conservative, mainstream non-profit organization recently recommended no more than 6 teaspoons a day of added sugar.  A lollipop has two teaspoons of sugar; Reese's, Snickers, Kit Kat all have 2 ½ teaspoons; 3 teaspoons in a Milky Way or Junior Mint.  

A little bit doesn't hurt, or does it? Remember that chronic disease starts in childhood and it is not just Halloween night but the weeks after, followed by the December holidays, Valentine's Day and then Easter! Excessive sugar intake is related to obesity (between 30-40% of our American kids are obese) and all of the weight related disorders such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Even skinny kids eating an excess sugar are at risk for heart disease as sugar increases triglycerides and may also increase blood pressure.  And we can't forget sugar's contribution to dental caries.

So let's redefine what Halloween “treats” are and find some satisfying alternatives that keep us and our kids healthy.  Remember you are your kids most influential role model.  Be a good one! 

Alternative Halloween "Treats":
-Pencils, erasers, crayons
 -Memo pads, coloring books
-Individual packs of pretzels, animal cookies, dried fruit, gum
-Rings, necklaces, bracelets
-Individual packs of Playdough
-Little cars, plastic animals 
-Bubbles


Remember, there are a lot of children with food allergies and other medical issues that prevent them from being able to eat candy, so offering non-food goodies allows everyone to take part in this fun day!

Be Well, Be NutritionWise
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD, CSP, CLC

visit me on facebook at www.facebook.com/nutritionwise

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