How to avoid candy overload this Halloween

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How to avoid candy overload this Halloween

By Strunk Kirby For The Beacon-News Oct 27, 2010 10:33AM

With Halloween just around the corner, children are carefully picking out just

the right costume for the annual fun-filled ritual of trick-or-treating, which

usually translates to overflowing bags filled with candy of all assortments.

While it’s seemingly impossible to separate Halloween from the tradition of

loading up on sugary snacks, many parents are concerned about the negative

effects of allowing their children to over-indulge in sugary, high-fat and

high-calorie treats.

With more awareness about a growing epidemic of childhood obesity and the link

between over-exposure to sugar and tooth decay, area dentists and nutritionists

offer parents some no-nonsense advice about cutting down on sugar and fat and

providing healthier Halloween treat alternatives that are still fun and

appealing to kids.

Because kids will inevitably eat candy at this time of year, good dental hygiene

is key, emphasizes Dr. Katina Morelli, dental director for Delta Dental of

Illinois. “Regardless of the type of candy eaten, it should be followed up

with a good brushing or glass of water to help rinse sugar away from the

teeth,†she says.

Dentists also stress that some types of candy are worse than others in their

potential harm to teeth. Morelli advises parents to avoid sticky or chewy

candies such as taffy, caramels and sugared fruit snacks that result in sugar

being in contact with teeth for longer periods of time. She suggests sugar-free

candies or chocolates that melt away quickly.

Or, steer your kids away from candy altogether if you’re concerned about oral

health, Morelli said. “Offer your children a new, brightly-colored toothbrush

or some flavored floss as a final Halloween ‘goodie’ to reinforce good oral

health habits.â€

Nutritionists, on the other hand, tend to be more concerned about overall fat,

calories and portion control. They typically recommend staying away from

chocolate candy, which tends to be high in fat, unless it is strictly

portion-controlled.

Jo Lynn Worden, clinical nutrition manager at Rush-Copley Medical Center in

Aurora, urges parents to read food packaging labels, taking care to choose

low-fat items and to watch out for trans fats and high calorie counts. She

suggests animal crackers and individual-sized packages of raisins, pretzels or

crackers, preferably made with whole grains.

Gash, clinical nutrition manager at Provena Mercy Medical Center in

Aurora, stresses portion control through choosing the bite-sized candy bars

(smaller than the snack-size) or individually wrapped chocolate kisses.

For lower fat chocolate options, small portions of 3 Musketeers candy bars are a

better choice than Snickers or Milky Way, which have the added sticky caramel

that dentists despise, Gash said. She also suggests York Peppermint Patties,

which have just 1 to 2 grams of fat in a bite-sized portion.

Gash emphasizes moderation, urging parents to stop their children from gorging

on candy as soon as they return home from trick-or-treating. Parents should also

discourage kids from eating through an entire bag of candy within just a few

days.

“With my kids, we throw it in the freezer and then they get a piece here and

there,†she said. “We kind of ration it that way.â€

Because Halloween is a firmly entrenched once-a-year treat for children, sweets

are fine as long as moderation is considered, said , registered

dietician at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. She recommends non-food items

such as miniature containers of Play-Doh, small bouncy balls or the popular

stretchy band bracelets that can be purchased in bulk at party or Halloween

store outlets.

Nutritionists and dentists alike suggest sugarless gum, since it has no calories

and won’t harm teeth. Sugar-free gum or mints with added Xylitol, which has

been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay, is especially recommended, Morelli

said.

For parents who want their kids to enjoy the fun of trick-or-treating but are

strict about sugar intake, Worden suggests a more drastic approach than

moderation. “I’ve heard of parents who let their children trick-or-treat and

then buy the candy back from them or trade the candy for a toy,†she said.