A Holistic Approach to Managing Halloween

With Halloween right around the corner and the fall season marking the decline of summer eating habits and activity for most, how do you enjoy the goblin season and still follow a holistic path for oral health and general wellness?

We will offer tips and ideas to help you keep that waistline in check and show the kiddos an alternative to a sugar-laden goolish experience. 

What's In Halloween Candy, Anyway?

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Producers of HFCS will tell you that syrup is as safe as regular sugar, but it's not. Did you know?:

• Because of how HFCS is processed, it is absorbed more rapidly into the blood system than cane sugar—resulting in uncontrollable insulin spikes that can lead to many problems besides rotting your teeth and poor oral health. Like diabetes.

• HFCS contains pollutants like mercury. We all visit Dr. Johnson because he is a mercury-free dentist, so unwittingly eating mercury is counterproductive to your holistic health journey.

• Corn, the core ingredient in HFCS, is among the top four genetically modified crops (or GMOs). Scary.

• Most Corn is raised using Monsanto Roundup or Glysophate - may also be problematic

Artificial Colors

Many candies in your trick-or-treat bag don't get their coloring from natural sources. And let's face it, most candy manufacturers make their products rainbow colors to attract your attention. But instead, they use petroleum-based food coloring. Look at the labels of these candies, and you are likely to see a list of petroleum-based food coloring (like Blues 1 and 2, Red 3, Green 3, and Yellow 5), which have a connection to certain cancers, behavior issues and tantrums in children, asthma, allergies, and hives. 

Trans Fats

If you have been watching your diet you already know that trans fats raise our "bad" cholesterol level, causing stroke and heart disease. Trans fats also cause inflammation in the body; a precursor for every chronic disease (heart disease, HBP, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer's) and oral health issues. 

The FDA can be misleading in its labeling requirements allowing companies to use the term "no trans fats" as long as the amount less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Who only eats just one serving of candy? Add up what the typical person consumes at one time, and you're more likely to have an unhealthy dose of trans fats.

When looking at the label of candy this Halloween, look for words like soybean/corn oil as ingredients. They are cheap ingredients and a staple in processed foods and candy. 

Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO

Another ingredient commonly used in foods and candy is soy. It comes from partially-hydrogenated soybean old and the food additive lecithin. Lecithin is used to give food texture.  

Carnuba Wax

Yup, the same stuff you use to wax your car. Another element in Halloween candy for texture. Although carnauba hasn't proven to be toxic if you are following a holistic journey, it has no place in your body.  

So, what do you do to change the trajectory of Halloween and trick or treat?

Now that you know, it’s time to take action and make changes. Three things you can do to make your Halloween candy-free and still keep the trick-or-treaters coming to your door.  

Holistic Alternatives

Fill your basket with individually-packaged non-candy "treats" like raisins, nuts, trail mixes, or natural fruit juice boxes. You would be surprised at how many kiddos will love this. They often tire of getting the same thing in their basket each time they ring a doorbell. 

Money

Let's face it; candy is expensive! So, why not pass out money instead? Dimes, Quarters, or even half dollars will go a long way in helping a young goblin fill their piggy bank. And they will remember you! Just make sure to adjust for inflation ;-) 

Small Gifts

Head to Dollar General and stock up on stickers, fake blood, vampire teeth, fake scars, kazoos, whistles, balloons, crayons, bubbles, toothbrushes, or natural chewing gum. These cheap and unique little gifts offer kids an alternative to high-sugar candy. 

The Aftermath 

After your kiddos have made their rounds in the neighborhood, they will undoubtedly have a bag full of contraband candy that will leave a parent in shock and want to mitigate the impact of sugar highs.  

So, let's adopt a strategy here. First, let's share a couple of ideas. 

Choose

Upon their return, check their bag and start tossing candies you know your child won't eat and go one step further; throw anything that is an absolute "NO" in your book. Think multi-colored, textured, or flavored.

What's left in the bag can be rationed to one treat per day and keep them out of sight to limit temptations.  

Back To Money

If the kids are smart, they will jump at the offer to sell candy back to mom and dad. Who knows, you might be teaching future entrepreneurs how to leverage a holiday! As parents, we are always looking for a teaching moment. 

Future Holiday Decorations

After your kids choose what to keep, you can always take what's left and use the candy for holiday decorations like gingerbread houses or Christmas decorations. This can give the children an option to help mom with decorating by having ownership in the process and building confidence they are contributing to the family.