What Are You Doing with All That Candy?

You and your kids survived the sugar-frenzy that is often synonymous with Halloween. And if you’re like many American families, you overindulged on sweets just a bit (or a lot!) because the calendar read October 31st. But now the page on the calendar has turned to November and you’re still staring down a big bowl of candy that’s begging to be eaten. So what can you do, other than giving into temptation over and over and over again?

Rather than letting a day of holiday fun turn into a month-long sugar-eating marathon, it’s time to find with some creative ways to encourage your kids (and their parents!) to manage the candy stash in a healthy way.

Here are 5 ways to avoid sugar overload after Halloween:

1. Divide up treats. Have kids separate candy into two piles – what they love and what’s just okay or they don’t like. Let them keep just the pile of favorites and have them come up with ideas to get rid of the rest. Suggest donating excess candy to the troops or a homeless shelter. For a good cause, kids may even be encouraged to give up some of their favorites.
2. Teach portion control. Explain that many foods can be part of a healthy diet if eaten in moderation. Calculate what a single serving of candy is and then put into small bags as a reminder of what one serving looks like.
3. Keep candy out of sight. Store treats in an out of the way spot or somewhere it’s not easily seeen – in the back of the pantry, the freezer, etc. When you don’t see it, it’s more quickly forgotten.
4. Don’t make candy off-limits. Using candy as a reward or severely restricting how much can be eaten sends a message that candy is forbidden and often makes it more desirable. It’s better to encourage a healthy relationship with sweets and other foods.
5. Watch your own intake. Kids model healthy behaviors after their parents. So if you’re not loading up on candy after the holiday or sneaking treats when you think no one’s looking, there’s a better chance they won’t either.

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Date Last Reviewed: September 17, 2019

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Nora Minno, RD, CDN

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