Here are some ways that parents can get a handle on Halloween so children feel neither deprived nor stuffed:

¢ Decide with children, before Halloween, on what is a reasonable amount of candy to eat that night and beyond. Will the candy be packaged in small bags to make the holiday last longer, rationed to a piece or two a day, donated or thrown away?

¢ Feed children dinner before trick-or-treating so they will not be ravenous and want to fill up on candy while going from house to house.

¢ Go out early, when candy-givers are less likely to encourage children to grab a handful of candy so they don’t end up stuck with it.

¢ Do not ban candy or ditch it when the kids aren’t looking; it may just make them want it more.

¢ Parents should be good role models by not eating all the candy themselves.

¢ Let children enjoy some sweets on the holiday while focusing on good nutrition the rest of the year.

¢ Offer candy alternatives alone, or alongside candy, to give trick-or-treaters a choice.

¢ Take some emphasis off candy by focusing on the fun of the holiday, like checking out the costumes and decorated houses.

¢ Walk, don’t drive, if possible, to get some physical activity in while candy collecting.

¢ Suggest kids wait to eat candy until they get home, where parents can inspect the wrappers to ensure they’re tightly sealed. Parents should consider throwing out everything else.

Sources: Dr. Sarah Armstrong, Duke Children’s Hospital pediatrician; American Dietetic Association.