Healthy Halloween treats are available

Imagine sitting down to eat a five-pound bag of sugar. If you let your children, that’s what they’ll do on Halloween. Nowadays, it seems like there’s a lot more emphasis on “treats” than “tricks.”
This year, when the little ghosts and goblins come knocking at your door, why not trick your treats?
Check out the following “boo-tiful” healthy snacks alternatives to candy:
—Rice cereal bars, juice boxes, stickers, pencils, balloons, erasers, stamp hands with favorite cartoon characters, crayons, plastic spiders, dimes or nickels, bubbles, shoelaces, sugar-free gum, barrettes, raisins, ponytail holders, peanuts, granola bars and cereal (small individual boxes).
What’s wrong with candy?
Most of us know that when it comes to nutrition, candy scores a big zero. It’s what registered dietitians call an empty calorie food — full of calories, but void of nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. Candy is also loaded with sugar.
The Surgeon General warns that too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Let’s face it. It’s unrealistic to never let your kids eat candy. However, it is important to teach them balance, variety and moderation.
In other words, they need to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods, like whole-grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. Then, they can treat themselves to some candy, but eat only a small amount and indulge once in a while.
Taming the candy monster.
Here are some tips on how to deal with bags of sugary Halloween loot:
—The best way to prevent cavities is to let your kids eat as much candy as they want at one time, within reason. Then, make sure that they brush and floss their teeth thoroughly.
—Try not to eat the candy piece by piece, day by day. Repeated exposure to sugar is more likely to cause cavities.
—Establish time limits as to how long the candy stays around the house. For example, after four days, all the leftover candy must be thrown away.
—Don’t worry too much. After the novelty of eating so much candy wears off, your children’s eating habits will return to normal.
This Halloween, keep the spirits high. Tempt your trick or treaters with something out of the ordinary — healthy treats!
For more information on this or any nutrition-related topic, contact Becky B. Gautreaux, RD, LDN, LSU AgCenter area nutrition agent at the St. Mary Parish LSU AgCenter office, 500 Main St., room 314, in Franklin. She can be reached at 337-828-4100, ext. 300, or via email at bgautreaux@agcenter. lsu.edu.
—Adapted from Mandy Armentor, Extension Agent, Vermilion Parish.
--By BECKY B. GAUTREAUX, RD, LDN
LSU AgCenter Area Nutrition Agent