How to Have a Healthy Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner, and stores across America are already filled with shelves of treats and Halloween decor. Yet the festivities can quickly turn spooky for our health and wellness, with the average child eating a whopping three cups of sugar on Halloween night (and collecting anywhere between 3,500 and 7,000 calories worth of treats total). Whether you’re a parent, or someone who enjoys the October 31st festivities, you can still celebrate Halloween without ghosting your health. Here’s how to have a healthy Halloween!
The Scary Health Effects of Too Much Halloween Sugar
The average American already eats too much sugar, and that can add up to significant health drawbacks:
- Studies have found that eating sugar makes you crave more sugar, creating a vicious cycle
- While many people focus on fat in their diet when it comes to heat disease risks, high-sugar diets are also linked with a significant increase in cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes is one of the biggest health problems in America, and dietary sugar is linked with your diabetes risks
- There’s a surprising link between sugar and numerous other diseases, including your risks of developing cancer
- All types of sugar suppress your immune system, leaving you more prone to viruses and bacteria infections (especially important because Halloween coincides with the fall and winter cold-and-flu season)
How to Have a Healthy Halloween
1. Eat a Fiber-Rich Meal Before Trick-or-Treating
If you — or any children in your care — fill up with a healthy meal before heading out to collect treats, everyone will be less likely to indulge in candy corn, chocolate, and other Halloween goodies. Plus, fiber has been shown to help your body better regulate its blood sugar levels, thus reducing some of the harmful health effects of eating sugary candy.
2. Turn Halloween Activities into Motivation to Eat Healthily
When you’re trick-or-treating, consider walking instead of driving from neighborhood to neighborhood. Or, think of ways to make Halloween crafting a motivational boost to try new foods. For instance, save the seeds from pumpkins when you’re carving your jack-o’-lantern. These seeds contain zinc and other antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are proven to boost your immune system. And if you’re worried about the immunity-supressing effects of sugar, don’t forget to take immunity supplements like vitamin C, vitamin E, and BioPro-Plus 500.
BioPro-Plus 500 contains biologically active purified thymic proteins plus Zinc Gluconate and nano silver solution which help to rebuild your immune system. These Thymic Proteins are bioidentical to the ones your body naturally creates, making them easily absorbed and assimilated into your body.
3. Consider Non-Candy Treats
You don’t have to dole out chocolate and other sugary delights on Halloween night. Economical (and fun!) alternatives include:
- Glow sticks
- Small dollar store toys
- Stickers
- Bubbles
- Bouncy balls
- Etc.
4. Make a Plan for Sugar Consumption Ahead of Time
Set expectations before heading out. Let your children know how much candy they can eat on Halloween night, and make a game out of sorting their treats and picking out which ones they’ll enjoy in the moment. Then, save the rest of the candy for special occasions or for pre-scheduled treat time throughout the coming weeks. This avoids overindulging and overwhelming their systems with sugar.