After Halloween, the candy dilemma

October 30, 11:38 PMHouston Holistic Health ExaminerMira Dessy

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Houston Holistic Health Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Halloween Candy Corn - Marie Richie | Wikimedia photo

One of the challenges of having Halloween treats around is the temptation to eat them. Even if you tell yourself that they are “just for the kids” somehow you find yourself having one, then another, then “just one more” and before you know it you are feeling ill from sugar overload.

Of course one way to avoid having too much sugar around is to give out healthier treats in the first place. This helps prior to or during the evening's handout operations. But what to do afterwards when your little ghosties and goblins come home dragging their loot behind them? Although the healthiest thing would be to simply throw all the candy out, most people don't get rid of the treats. They leave it lying around the house where it can continue to provide temptation. Be kind to yourself and your kids and consider some alternatives to the seemingly bottomless post-halloween candy jar.

Many doctors and dentists would prefer that the amount of candy children have access to is limited; it's healthier for them to not ingest so much sugar. If you can't bring yourself to throw it out, one way to limit their access is to let the kids pick their favorite 10 or so pieces and get rid of the rest. If you work outside the home you can bring it to the office but this still leaves it within your reach and continues to provide temptation. Another option is to donate the candy to community organizations such as Meals on Wheels, food pantries, veterans organizations and nursing homes. Homeless shelters and youth groups that work with children also accept donations and churches that put together food baskets will also accept donations to help provide a sweet treat in the baskets. Contact these organizations within your community to see if they have any requirements or conditions for donations.

In many communities across the country dentists purchase the candy for approximately $1 per pound. While this is certainly less than you paid for whatever you are handing out it helps to get the candy out of your house. You can find out which dentists in your area are participating by checking out the Candy Buy Back website The candy is then packaged up and sent to the American soldiers serving overseas. If there are no participating dentists in your area you can send it to Soldier's Angels and they will forward it on to the soldiers for you. Some of the candy is eaten by the soldiers, but they also use what they receive to hand out while they are on patrol.

Don't think of it as depriving yourself. Instead consider that you are making a healthy choice, for you and your kids, by choosing not to overindulge in this addictive, unhealthy substance. You might also consider handing out healthier choices next year. Who knows, maybe you'll start a new trend in your neighborhood.