Greetings and Håfa Adai,
October is right around the corner, and we’ll be gearing up again for a busy Halloween season! Halloween conjures up ideas of costumes, parties, and busy streets full of trick-or-treaters. However, this beloved holiday also brings in high levels of sugar consumption. But it doesn’t have to be! You can still enjoy Halloween with less sugar—and if you can, make it sugar-free! Here are some ways to enjoy a Halloween with less sugar this year:
Give trick-or-treaters healthier options.
Give the costumed zombies and fairies that knock on your door treats that are not overloaded with sugar, such as nuts, un-popped popcorn, fruit chews, or mini-pretzel snack packs. You can skip the sweets altogether and hand out non-food treats such as glow sticks, stickers, bubbles, or slime to add in some fun to goodie bags.
Try to limit the amount of sweets you eat.
It is best to plan how all the candy will be consumed post-Halloween. Sort through all the treats you’ve gathered and ration them for days and weeks after Halloween. For the kids, you can give out one treat in their lunch box each day or every other day as a sweet addition to their school meal.
Practice a Safe and Fun Halloween
During the night of Halloween, streets will be lined with pedestrians—children and adults alike. Here are a few safety rules to enjoy a safe Halloween:
Make yourself visible.
Use reflective tape on costumes and bags to increase visibility at night. If you can, plan to wear bright or light-colored costumes. As you go through your neighborhood, bring glow sticks or flashlights as you trick-or-treat.
Always keep in communication.
Carry a smartphone or cellphone on hand for quick communication as you go door-to-door or venture outside on Halloween night. However, when you’re crossing the streets, put your electronic devices down and keep your head up.
Slow down.
Drive slowly, expect pedestrians, and stay alert if you plan on driving during high-traffic trick-or-treating hours. If you are a pedestrian, walk safely—don’t run. Cross the street at corners, watch out for cars, and always walk on sidewalks.
With these tips, we hope you enjoy a safe and sugar-free Halloween season this year!
