For Immediate Release:
Oct. 22, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder, Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Offer trick-or-treaters some healthier alternatives this Halloween

When trick-or-treaters come knocking on your door this year, what will you be handing out?  The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is offering some ideas for healthier alternatives to the usual trick-or-treat fare.

Traditional Halloween treats are filled with sugar and, many times, have a high fat content – both add up to extra calories. The customary candy contributes to tooth decay as well as obesity, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, orthopedic concerns and other health problems.

In Missouri, the percentage of children who are overweight is on the rise and is higher than the national average. More than 14 percent of middle school students and more than 13 percent of high school students are overweight.

“With a little planning, it’s not difficult to take a healthier approach to trick-or-treating,” said Donna Mehrle, coordinator of the state health department’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases. “You can offer something other than candy and still be part of the fun on Halloween.”

Trick-or-treat ideas for a healthier Halloween include individually packaged:

• Raisins (regular or chocolate covered)
• Animal crackers
• Pretzels
• Crackers and cheese packets
• Mozzarella string cheese
• Instant hot cocoa mix
• Single-serving boxes of cereal
• Single-serving packages of microwave popcorn
• 100 percent juice boxes
• Granola bars
• Sugar-free gum

These treats are low in sugar and fat, and some provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. But not all treats handed out on Halloween have to be food or drink.  Some non-edible alternatives include:

• Halloween stickers or rubber stamps
• Small toys
• Barrettes
• Plastic rings
• Pencils, erasers or rulers

When trick-or-treaters arrive home on Halloween night with their bags or buckets full of candy, parents can help control the amount of sugar and fat their children consume. Some ideas for managing the Halloween haul include:

• Take charge of the treat bags or buckets and ration out the candy in appropriate amounts.
• Set up a “Trick- or-Treat Trading Post” where children can trade their candy for prizes such as toys, a special activity with a parent or a night out at favorite place to eat.
• Create a “Giving Pumpkin” in which children can place a certain amount of their candy to share with other children who are unable to go trick-or-treating.

Parents can also make sure their children eat a meal or snack before trick-or-treating to help them avoid the temptation to begin eating their treats before they arrive home.

By taking control of the treats, parents can make sure all the candy is in its original wrapper and that the treats do not interfere with meals and are not eaten right before bed time. Parent can also make sure their children brush their teeth after eating sugar-filled foods and before they go to bed to prevent tooth decay.

Parents also should make sure their children trick-or-treat safely. Halloween safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:

• Wear reflective tape on costumes and bags to be more visible to drivers.
• Carry a flashlight to help you see and help others see you.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to prevent blocked vision, tripping and falling.
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Walk on sidewalks or on the edge of the road, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street, and use established crosswalks.
• Do not enter homes to receive treats unless accompanied by a trusted adult.
• Eat only commercially wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats unless you know the person who prepared them.