The yearly routine of dressing up in costume and loading up on treats is a highlight in the autumn for many children. It can also be a frustrating time for parents! Huge amounts of sweets everywhere in the house can throw everyone off of their usual well rounded and balanced diet. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family on track while enjoying a happy and healthy Halloween:
EAT A HEALTHY HALLOWEEN MEAL BEFORE HEADING OUT
It’s just like going to do your grocery shopping on an empty stomach; starting off the night already hungry is going to encourage you and your kids to overindulge in all those sweeties! Eat a full healthy meal as a family before going trick or treating to help limit the amount of snacking you will do along the way.
CHOOSE HEALTHIER TREAT OPTIONS
If you are giving away candy, rethink the traditional sweet treats for something healthier. These days, it’s easy to find low-calorie snack packs of cookies or baked chips that will be healthier for kids to consume. This is helpful in two ways – 1) You’ll feel good giving out healthier options to the kids coming to your house, 2) You will not be left with an over abundance of sugary treats.
WORK EXERCISE INTO THE EVENING
Halloween is a great time for the whole family to get some exercise while participating in the time-honoured tradition of going trick or treating. Instead of putting all the kids in the car and driving from house to house, leave the car and home and walk through the neighbourhood. Not only is seeing everyone’s costumes up close fun, walking is a healthy activity for the whole family.
SET UP A KEEP VS. DONATE SYSTEM
When you get home, have your kids separate the candy into piles. One they can keep and one they give away. Maybe they have a friend who was sick and not able to go out trick or treating. I’m sure they would be appreciative of a little candy. Check with local seniors residents or a children’s group to see if they might like to take some of the candy off your hands. Maybe they have an event coming up. It’s also a great opportunity to tech your kids about giving to others.
EAT IN MODERATION
Limit the amount of candy your kids (and you) eat each day. Keep the candy out of sight either in the freezer or in a cupboard that is higher up. Out of sight, out of mind!
Reflex Spinal Health wishes you a HAPPY and HEALTHY HALLOWEEN! And after it is all over then i am sure lots of you fellow parents would enjoy having a relaxing massage from one of our fantastic team of therapist to work out those knots of stressed muscles! I know that all the excitement of halloween can test the best of us!
