Americans eat about 25 pounds of candy per person, per year. And Halloween kicks off what many consider the holiday season for eating sweets.
Halloween candy can fit into a healthy diet, if you eat it in moderation. But if keeping calories in check is a challenge at this time of year, here are some new traditions you may want to start.
Holiday decorations are no longer just the domain of Christmas. Halloween is now widely celebrated. And often it''s another reason to pack on some extra calories.
"I think the issues are present year ''round. I just think it''s when we have another holiday like this that highlights the candy that keeping that balance really does become a challenge for families," says Angela Sheer, a registered dietitian with Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Strategies to take the focus off of candy and food at this time of year are simple: You can start at the door, by giving away something other than food to trick-or-treaters.
"Things that just come to the top of my head are things like pencils, pens, they have some great halloween designs on them, stickers. And those tattoos, temporary tattoos have become popular," says Sheer. "We have what have traditionally been party favors, the spider rings orange and black and also some of these fangs that the kids will like using. All those things kids like to play with do, rather than eat or consume."
If you insist on putting something to eat into trick or treat bags, consider some of the healthier choices available.
"There are some thing like sugar free gum, also Teddy Grahams, they''ve put them in some small individual packages, pretzels, also in some small individual packages," says Sheer.
Even raisins in small boxes, or juice boxes. If you do decide to give out candy, stick with the smaller, fun-sized bars.
"With two bars you get about 160 calories 8 grams of fat." Compare that to a regular-sized candy bar which is 280 or more calories and 14 grams of fat. So if you have two fun-sized bars, you''ve cut your total calories and total fat and sugar by about one-third.
Finally, read labels. Three mini Tootsie Pops are just 50 calories, and chances are they''ll take longer to eat than a candy bar.