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Dr. Tanya's Halloween TIPS
Dr. Tanya
Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann is a leading medical authority, bestselling author and parenting expert. She is a working mother and UCLA-trained pediatrician who practices in Southern California. Dr. Tanya is a designated spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, communicating complicated medical issues into easily understood concepts. She is a child health expert for numerous news programs and talk shows including "Today" (NBC), "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet" (FOX), "Good Morning America Now" (ABC) and more. Her latest parenting book, "Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents’ Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers", hit several bestseller lists.
Dr. Tanya's Halloween TIPSt
By Dr. Tanya, DrPH, MA, RD
Healthy Snacks
• Promote a wholesome Halloween in your neighborhood by handing out alternatives to candy. Some nutritious and delicious snacks can include: Raisins, cashews, pumpkin seeds and lowfat chocolate milk. Lowfat chocolate milk is delicious and nutritious. It contains the same essential nutrients found in white milk with a taste that kids love! Chocolate milk is also nutrient rich, packed with bone-building nutrients— including calcium, vitamin D, protein, phosphorus and potassium. There's just no good substitute for milk when it comes to healthy bones.
• A healthy Halloween choice is fruit! Try buying small 4-oz containers of applesauce, fruit cocktail, peaches or pears to give to kids as a nutritious snack.
• If you are hosting a Halloween party, try wrapping various flavors of popcorn or pretzels in Halloween-themed baggies. Popcorn and pretzels are lower in saturated fats and sugars than traditional Halloween candy and children will be intrigued by the festive wrapping.
• Consider handing out non-food treats to your costumed guests, such as mini-books, bubbles, stickers, crayons or stick-on tattoos.
Safety
• Safety is important while children are out canvassing the neighborhood. Encourage your children to wear make-up instead of a mask. The mask can impair a child's vision making it more difficult to see traffic and safety lights. Also try lining your children's costumes and treat bag with reflective tape. This will make a child easily noticed by passing cars.
• An adult should always accompany young children trick-or-treating. For older children who are responsible enough to go out without an adult, make sure they have at least one friend who will stay with them at all times. If possible, give them a cell phone and teach them to call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency or they become lost. Plan a safe route and a reasonable time to return home.
• Encourage your children to avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys and instead stick to the sidewalks or well-lit streets. This will not only help keep them safe during Halloween, but can also be a fun way to burn off a little extra energy!
Other Great Tips
• If you can't avoid passing out some candy, give trick-or-treaters items that take longer to eat such as lollipops. Sugar-free bubblegum is also a great Halloween give-away. Kids love the taste and once again it lasts much longer than traditional candies.
• Feed your kids a hearty meal or snack before trick-or-treating. If you're kids aren't hungry, they will be less likely to indulge on candy when they get home
• Closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Keep a small stash at home and allow your child to pick one or two pieces a day over the next week and take your extra holiday candy to your local charity or church. This is a great way to avoid overconsumption during Halloween and also a great way to show your children how to give back.
• Don't be a ghoul – stock up on lowfat chocolate milk to help your family get more of the calcium they need.
