Halloween Sugar
by Chelsea Reinberg | Health, Nutrition & Food Safety Agent
October is the time of year when ghosts and princesses and bumble bees and zombies all come together to fill the sidewalks on one special night. You may wonder, what could be scarier the some of the costumes on Halloween that you might see?! One answer to that question is the alarming amount of sugar that children collect and bring home after their trek across the community going door to door saying trick-or-treat.
The American Heart Association recommends that children ages two to 18 limit their added sugar consumption to less than six teaspoons (25 grams) per day. Many of the popular regular-sized candies may contain about 20 to 30 grams of sugar in one serving! All candy is not created equal, and the amount of sugar may vary depending on the product. Be sure to check the nutrition facts label to learn how much added sugar are in candies and all processed foods and aim to keep total intake below 25 grams per day.
Inadequate diets with excess consumption of added sugar and poor habits like sedentary lifestyles are main contributors to the obesity epidemic among children. Data from 2020 shows that one in five children in the U.S. are obese. Obesity has significant health consequences in children not only on their immediate health but also negatively affects their health into adulthood including an increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Holidays, like Halloween, make it difficult to manage how much added sugar children may be consuming this time of year. It is important to know that all foods can fit within a healthy eating pattern. Focus on consuming whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins and keep sodium and added sugars to a minimum most days of the week. If you are concerned about how much added sugar is consumed and want to provide healthier alternatives to the typical sugary treats, try these options:
- Lower sugar granola bars or fruit bars
- All-natural fruit snacks
- Raisins
- Fruit and vegetable applesauce pouches
- Single serve whole grain snacks, like popcorn
- Trail mix single serve packets
- Non-food items like toys, pencils, games, etc.
Look for items that have whole grains, fiber, and lower added sugar to make your treats a little bit healthier this Halloween season.
If you are trying to stretch out the candy haul to last your family several months or maybe even until next Halloween, there are a few things to remember. Always check the package for tampering when the candy is brought home. Throw out any packages that are not sealed or damaged. To store candy, keep items unopened and in original wrapper and cool, dark place to preserve freshness. Soft and chewy candies can last for about six months, soft chocolate (milk and white) may last for about eight to ten months, jellybeans and hard candies may last for about 12 months, and dark chocolate may last for about two years, if stored properly. Due to the high sugar and lower water content of candy, there is little concern for food safety and candy unless there is a product recall or other contamination. The quality of the candy will decline over time but that does not mean it is unsafe.
