How to Navigate Halloween Candy Influx?

Many parents inquire about finding the balance and happy medium with the influx of candy for Halloween. Every parent has their own zone of comfort with sugar intake. This article is intended to consider some ways to support balance in the consumption of candy. With a focus on nutrition, balance, and wellbeing in our home, I share some ways I have found helpful in my personal life as a parent and in my professional life in supporting parents. 

1. Talk about food is fuel for our bodies. There are many ways to go about this discussion and lots of resources. This short 2-minute video is an introduction to healthy eating designed for kids 5 to 11.
2. Discuss impacts of sugar. It is important to provide simple concrete information for your kids, here is a simple image that shows some of the negative effects of sugar, and here is a short video about how sugar impacts the body.
3. Nurture a healthy relationship with food. In discussing the above you build on this key area. This article from a dietician talks more about ways to support this with your kids regarding Halloween candy.
4. Trade in. This is a strategy I find promotes a balance. Kids essentially choose the candy they want to hold on to, and for every candy they are willing to give up they receive ten cents. This can add up quickly, and they can use that towards something they want to buy on their wish list. 
5. Lead by example. This parenting strategy is an overall great one for this situation and many situations we face as a parent. Kids look to us as their greatest teachers, and our actions speak louder than our words. 

If you need additional support reach out to me, I am Nicole Levy, and I am here as your helping hand, let’s get started, book your complimentary initial consult today https://www.mindfulhealingjourney.ca/#/