TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Kids everywhere are getting ready to go door to door Tuesday night, trick-or-treating for candy.
But as as childhood obesity and diabetes rise to unprecedented levels, many are wondering, 'how can I keep my kid healthy and still make sure they have a good time?'
Officials from Leon County's Department of Health say one way to curb sugar intake is to ration your child's candy. Let them pick 5 or so pieces to eat a day and then put the rest of the candy away.
If you child is diabetic, make sure you're following your doctor's recommendations and keeping a close eye on blood sugar levels. Now as far as what you pass out on Halloween, there are some healthier options.
"They have fruit bags now at the grocery store so you can get those," said Holly Kirsch, a dietitian with the Leon County Department of Health. "Just walk past those candy bags and get a bag of apples or grapes. Pretzels (are) also a nice choice. You can get trail mix, you can have granola bars. It can all be a little healthier choices than the candy."
If you're dead set on handing out candy on Halloween, she recommends passing out mini-size candy, not the full size candy bars, to help keep kid's sugar intake at a reasonable level.
