Written by: Greg Plemmons, M.D.

Many parents today can remember when it was relatively accepted (and safe) to trick-or-treat throughout the neighborhood, bobbing for apples, even preparing or receiving homemade treats such as popcorn balls and caramel apples. Times have changed. Now supersize bags of candy in the grocery aisles go on display the moment the temperature dips each fall, and because of safety concerns and suburban sprawl, many parents now even drive kids from door to door in search of goodies.

Unfortunately, our children are fatter than ever. The rates of childhood obesity have skyrocketed over the last 30 years, and Halloween now seems to signify heralding a season of overindulgence that lasts until New Years. What can parents do to encourage healthier Halloween habits?

1. Try to incorporate physical activities. Walking the neighborhood with adult supervision is a great alternative to autos if weather permits.
2. Try to prepare a healthy meal before the big night out, one that includes lots of fiber, which is more filling (fruits, vegetables, whole grains). That way, kids are less likely to overeat.
3. Negotiate with children beforehand how many pieces are acceptable to take if offered, and also afterwards how to ration it throughout the rest of the year. Some items such as chocolate, can be frozen
4. Some health experts recommend allowing indulgence but setting a time limit. For instance, one option to try might be the "three-day rule"--allow children as much as they want after eating regular meals but discarding the remainder by the third day after Halloween. This approach allows children to experience indulgence, even discomfort, and parents get to avoid nagging and feeling guilty.
5. Healthy alternatives to candy include individual packages of graham crackers, granola bars, fig bars, or nuts. A trip to the local party shop or dollar store may also offer pencils, whistles, small toys, crayons, erasers, trading cards.
6. Bubble gum is also a great alternative, since it has relatively few calories and most kids love it.
7. The time-honored tradition of candy corn is a hyperglycemic minefield. One 4-oz package contains approximately 438 calories (equivalent to the amount of one meal for an average elementary-school-aged child) and a whopping 27 teaspoons of refined sugar.
8. Always buy the miniature-sized candies whenever possible.