| Candy Holidays For most, avoiding sugar foods is a challenge given the hundreds of “foodie days” and major “candy holidays.” Candy holidays like Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and of course the big one – Halloween, are for most especially challenging times to hold the line on calories. For those trick-or-treating door to door, a haul of 10,000 to 20,000 calories is an easy night’s work. While there are alternatives to trick-or-treating, most will find even the alternatives tilted toward extra sugar foods. To minimize the urge to overdo sugar foods, eat a good meal before heading off for your Halloween venue. When kids are full before they go out, then they will eat fewer pieces of candy afterwards. Of course, children that generally eat well all year long will survive just fine with their occasional overindulgences. Still, it’s a good idea to limit daily consumption. A plan to have only a few pieces a day is best. The key is moderation. If you’re the treat giver, consider more wholesome alternatives. For most the appeal is as much about appearance as what is on the inside. For example, cheddar popcorn balls in a plastic baggie with a smiling face can be a hit. Make the treat novel and with luck they won’t miss the sugar. Regardless of the treat, excess calories still need to be burned off. If you go trick-or-treating make a game of walking with a reward for meeting expected pedometer counts. Use the opportunity to talk about how many steps are needed to work off the calories in one piece of candy. There is danger in having piles of candy lying around after Halloween. Reports of parents indulging while children are at school are not unheard. Of course you wouldn’t do this - just sayin’ danger lurks when piles of candy are left unattended. Regardless of your preferred October 31st tradition, keep it fun, keep it safe and join me for a walk to use a few of those holiday calories. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama About Choosing Carefully When circumstances require you to buy candy treats, two rules can help minimize damage to teeth. First, avoid hard candy that stays in the mouth for a long time. The length of time candy is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Second, avoid sticky candies that cling to your teeth. Stickier candies like taffy and gummy bears take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay. For more Halloween dental health safety ideas click here. Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests. Alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating are offered by many schools and churches. Additional opportunities for fun are numerous and include events like the ‘Halloween Spooky Space Spectacular’ at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. More Huntsville Happenings For a list of local Halloween events click here. The alternatives available are quite interesting. Taken together, these new alternatives portend a future where ‘Spooks’ could end up on the endangered species list. Tips from the American Heart Association Need more ideas for a healthier way to enjoy Halloween? Try these tips for ‘How to Have a Heart- Healthy Halloween’ from the American Heart Association. It’s all about making your Halloween festivities a little healthier for your family, party guests and trick-or-treaters without taking the fun out of it. If you are 65 or over, the scariest part of the season probably isn’t Halloween. More likely it’s Medicare open enrollment season which began on October 15th and ends on December 7th. The Medicare's website (www.medicare.gov) provides a research tool where you can input your personal data and see plans that fit your needs. It’s not perfect and doesn’t include all plans but can make the process less scary. On the plus side, you may be able to save by choosing a plan based on your specific health and financial situation. Click here for more ideas. |