HAPPY

HALLOWEEN!!!

 

 

 

 

Oh boy.......tomorrow is the day when our children have the green light to go from one door to the next all in the name of yummy, chocolaty, gooey, sweets!!!  It's also fun for us because let's face it.....we get to pig out too!!!   My kids know, the Almond Joy's are mine!!!   No, I'm not going to tell you that your children shouldn't eat candy just because I am a Registered Dietitian.  Rather, take this opportunity to teach "MODERATION".   Yes, that's right.....take the opportunity to teach your kids that they can enjoy candy in moderation. 

 

Let me tell you how I've done it since my kids started trick-or-treating.  First, and most important, no one is allowed to eat anything until I have inspected it first!!  I check to make sure that all wrappers are sealed tight and in self-contained packages.  I know people have good intentions, but I do not let my kids keep a candy that is not in the original manufactures packaging.  For example, if someone throws an individual Starburst in the bag, I throw it out......why do I do this?.....because anybody can unwrap and rewrap an individual piece of candy easily without anyone even realizing it.....it's best to be safe than sorry.  Second, the day after Halloween, they get to choose 4 pieces they can eat.  The day after that, it goes down to 2 pieces.  The day after that, the same.  On the fifth day, the candy goes BYE, BYE until the next weekend and then they can choose 2 pieces each on Saturday and Sunday.  After that, all of that good stuff goes into the future movie goody bags (the movie candy can cost you as much as a tank of gas!!!), future friend dates, and maybe a movie night at home or other fun thing that comes up.  After two months, whatever is left over, goes into the garbage!!!  It's all what you get your children used to.  If you teach your children that it's okay to have a "treat" every so often......then it's not a "feast or famine" race!!!

 

I hope you all enjoy this special season with your children, because it is a very precious time in their lives!!!  Happy Halloween!!!