Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Halloween Safety
This altered image of a truck decorated up.
MAHASKA COUNTY – With Halloween quickly approaching, children are picking out costumes and thinking about trick-or-treating. This holiday, Mahaska Health Partnership offers some tips on how to keep sugar consumption at a manageable level for every little ghost and goblin in the neighborhood.
“Many parents would be alarmed at the amount of sugar their children eat on a daily basis,” Family Nurse Practitioner Jen Scott, ARNP-C shared. “The average child under age 12 consumes 49 pounds of sugar per year. This sugar often hides in processed and pre-packaged foods. When you add additional treats like candy into that mix, it’s easy for kids to consume too much sugar and empty calories.”
One tip Scott suggests to keep sugar intake reduced on Halloween is to feed your children before heading out to trick-or-treat. “They will be less likely to snack all night on their goodies if they are already full,” Scott explained. “This also gives parents a chance to go through treats at home and check for allergens, choking hazards and tampering before consumption.”
Another way to reduce the amount of candy your kids consume is to utilize it another way. “You can do fun experiments like melting a Starburst or dissolving Skittles in water,” Scott recommended. “This is an easy way to get rid of excess candy while also learning something and avoiding any upset over discarded treats. Trading the candy for healthier options like toys or other snacks is another way to limit consumption. You can also find places like Operation Gratitude to donate candy and have it sent to soldiers overseas.”
If giving out treats, Scott suggests some healthier alternatives. “Only a small percentage of people offer healthier alternatives for trick-or-treaters. Small toys, stickers, temporary tattoos, pretzels, raisins, fruit and other healthy snacks are great options for kids that can be enjoyed without incorporating a bunch of unhealthy sugar and empty calories into their diet.”
While moderation is important, Scott reminds parents to have fun this Halloween. “I know many parents struggle with the balance of indulging on holidays and eating healthy, but don’t let worrying get in the way of having fun as a family. If you strive to eat sensibly throughout the year, a little indulgence won’t have a lasting impact on your diet.”
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
