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Added on Oct 28, 2008 | Filed Under:

NEW ORLEANS -Halloween is looming and the food guide pyramid only allows 10% of calories for most kids to come from extra treats like candy. So, what is a parent to do? One thing could be to give out toys instead of candy," suggests Elesha Kelleher, RD, MPH, at Elmwood Fitness Center. Parents may also try giving out stickers, pencils, Play-Doh or glow sticks instead of food, suggests Kelleher, a mother of three. There's no doubt that with Halloween comes millions of princesses, sports stars and other costumed kids who'll scamper from house to house, dropping fistfuls of candy into their plastic pumpkins and pillowcases and trying to shed those wrappers faster than they can yell "Boo!" And, despite the heightened awareness of health and nutrition, the fact remains that kids (and adults) are tempted with sweets at almost every corner even without a holiday devoted to sugar. And, about 30 percent of children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese. Another tactic is for parents to buy back the candy for money or books. After the kids enjoy some candy while trick or treating, parents can buy back as much as they can, offering a nickel for each piece of candy they like but don't love, and a quarter for each piece of something they do. "They could decide how much to keep," says Kelleher. "And most likely, they would rather have the money, so they end up keeping very little candy. However, it's important to note that it's okay to have a little bit of candy." Rationing can also an effective method. "If you let them, they'll have a free-for-all," says Kelleher, who gives a piece a day to each of her three children. "They've understood the boundaries and limits, so when I place them, they tend to argue less with it." A one-night candy splurge won't make a child obese, and everybody should enjoy a little Halloween treat in moderation, regardless of their weight. But, Kelleher suggests turning the night into a teaching opportunity about portion size and limits, lessons that can be reinforced all year. "It's important that we as parents help kids find the balance between a traditional fun activity and a healthy lifestyle," says Kelleher. Telling kids they can't have any candy can also backfire. "Some families say no, they don't allow it, and some families have no restrictions and it's a free-for-all. Both can be equally poor approaches, emphasizes Kelleher. A final suggestion from Kelleher, is that families can offer candy and nonedible treats to allow kids who come to their own doors to make a choice. Some kids like alternatives because they have something to play with that lasts beyond Halloween night. For more information, contact Elmwood Fitness Center at 504-733-1600.

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