Candy corn is a popular Halloween candy set in dishes.
Candy and Halloween seemingly go together, but it is possible to replace some of that sugar with healthy alternatives so that children hardly notice. Research has found that youngsters will also enjoy nonfood treats.
One study published in the journal of the Society for Nutritional Education found that when children ages 3 to 14 were offered a choice between a toy and candy, the children were almost as likely to pick the toy. Children were offered one plate of small Halloween toys, like rings and stickers, and an assortment of candy. The study found that nearly half of the children picked the toys over the candy.
Smart alternative to candy include small toys, Halloween stickers and nonfood party favors like spider rings that most stores will display along with their Halloween candy selection. Some ideas are whistles, colored pencils and coupon books to local businesses.
Healthier food items to consider handing out are cheese and cracker packs, cheese sticks, sugar-free gum, small packs of raisings and nuts or packets of instant hot chocolate mix.
There are also ways to keep children from indulging on too much candy they receive from trick or treating. Make sure children eat before going out, so that they will be less tempted to snack on candy while they are out. Try to make colleting the candy into a game, so that children will not eat anything until the very end. Then when you are back home, have them sort their candy by color or ingredient. Make it a game, and tell the children to eat just one piece of candy from each pile.