Healthy Halloween?? Is that even possible? The amount of sugary candy that kids are given nowadays….at school, church, birthday parties, holidays, etc….is simply staggering. Halloween is just around the corner….and as a health-minded parent, you may actually dread it, like I used to. What should you do?
Do you keep your child sheltered from it by being super strict, or do you let your child feel included by letting them enjoy it and risk the health consequences? These are tough decisions for a parent who cares more about the long term health of their child than about fitting into our current candy-obsessed culture.
Halloween doesn't have to be scary
I realize that raising a healthy child in the midst of a fast food world takes intentionality and dedication. It really does feel like I am swimming upstream many times, but I have to remember that I am the one who is doing the right thing. My tendency is to just shelter my daughter from the candy and not let her participate, but I realize that by being overly controlling, it can create other problems- such as kids who sneak junk food or it can foster unhealthy attitudes about food. The truth is that I can only control what my c
hild eats for short time. Once they grow up, the choices are now theirs, and my hope is that I have set a good example and given them a firm foundation to build on for life as I've explained the benefits of a healthy diet.
We also want our daughter to enjoy the holidays and not feel deprived or like she is missing out. There is a fine line between being too strict and, on the other hand, letting your kids eat whatever they want until they turn into hyperactive monsters from a too-much-sugar high.
Here my strategy for the Halloween candy crazyness
We let our daughter participate in the festivities and collect the candy. Then we let her choose 3 pieces of candy that she can eat anytime she wants. The rest of the candy is traded in for money to buy a new toy or another thing that she likes.
If I had a child who was sensitive to red dye #40 or other preservatives, I would limit their choices of candy to those without these dyes, such as chocolate.
Remember, the goal is to enjoy your family and to make good memories. Keeping the candy issue in perspective is important.
Connect with Pure Vitality Everyday!