No tricks, exercise is the healthiest treat
- col-bobbie-randall
- October 12, 2023
- 581
Halloween is upon us. The ghosts and goblins are showing up in stores and on doorsteps. A neighbor put up purple lights that look eerie in the dark. It won’t be long before trick-or-treaters are traipsing up and down the streets.
Bags of Halloween candy are for sale everywhere. A few small candy bars will not cause obesity; overindulging is the culprit. Each year more and more children are becoming obese: In fact, according to the latest National Centers of Disease Control study, 16% of children age 2-19 are overweight. Nearly 20% of children and adolescents are obese. These percentages increase each year.
My philosophy on Halloween candy has always been about moderation. A mini candy bar will not increase body weight. It is the quantity of candy consumed that increases weight. A moderate intake of candy is no more than 1 ounce a day. If you do not know how much 1 ounce is, read the label and add up the weight. Approximately 30 grams of candy equals 1 ounce.
Adding up the calories also can help define moderation. Usually, less than 100 calories of candy per day defines a moderate amount. Roughly gauge calories consumed or get out the calculator to determine if you or your child have had enough.
Parents are the key to controlling the amount of candy kids eat. Limiting sugar intake is one way to help curb the obesity epidemic. If parents can make just one rule in their house concerning Halloween candy, it should be this: no candy in front of anything digital or electronic.
Usually, eating in front of an electronic device or screen leads to mindless eating. Candy should not be consumed while watching television or playing video games. Parents, this rule applies to you also. Munching on your kid’s candy while at the computer can mean a tighter waistband. Pay attention to the quantities consumed.
A few candy bars eaten while walking or bicycling do not count in my book. The candy bar calories are used by the body for energy almost immediately when the body is moving. Go ahead and enjoy the feel of soft, sweet nougat on your tongue or the happy crunch of sugar-coated nuts or candy corn while the body is in motion.
The best way to keep a feel-good feeling flowing though the body is to increase the movement of muscles. Walking, stretching, bending and moving in general produce a happy reaction in the body called endorphin release. This causes euphoric hormones to run through the body.
The beneficial part of Halloween trick-or-treating may not be the candy at all. Movement of the legs and feet, arms and hands, and head and body make this holiday such a happy one. Eat Halloween candy in moderation and move every part of your body — the more movement the better.
Last year a dad laughed when he saw my hand drop a mini candy bar into his son’s treat bag. He knew I was a dietitian. What did he expect, chocolate-covered cauliflower or gummy asparagus? Have fun trick or treating!
Bobbie Randall is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.