How much candy should a kid eat on Halloween?
Stu, our Halloween contest winner, wanted to know:
"How much candy should I allow my 5- and 8-year-old to eat? What should be my percentage of their take?"
(Stu assured me that he was just as serious about getting the answer to the second question as the first, by the way.)
I asked Judith Feola Gordon, a registered dietitian in Carroll County who is a spokeswoman for the Maryland Dietetic Association, to give us some guidance.
Here's what she says about those treats:
"As a mother of two Halloweeners, I know this is an exciting time for children and quite frustrating for parents. Everyone has a different approach on candy eating. Here are three approaches for better candy eating.
1. Steer clear of foods of minimal nutrition value. These include items like chewing gum, candy-coated popcorn, and certain candies including hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, and spun candy. Candies such as these usually only provide calories - empty calories in fact.
2. A better choice in the candy category are candies with 5 percent of the daily value of at least one of the specified nutrients (protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium and iron). These are considered to have nutritional value even though it's "candy." For example, two Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have 4 grams of protein, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 2 percent of the daily value of calcium, and 2 percent of the daily value of iron.
3. Portion size and frequency also play into the equation. Bite-size and minis for children are better portion sizes than regular or super size candies/bars. With that said, the portion control of bite size and minis can be derailed by eating too many of them at one time. Aiming for 4 bite- size bars or 2 minis at a sitting is appropriate. For the diehard candy-eating children, aim for bite size or mini portions no bigger than a regular size candy/bar in one sitting.
Candy when stored properly can last for a while. Establishing eating times for Halloween candy -- or any candy, for that matter -- such as after lunch or after dinner will prevent overeating. Avoid rewarding good behavior with candy; often leftover holiday candy is used as a reward for good behavior. Reward with a pencil or having the child pick their favorite fruit when grocery shopping.
For an adult, it really is almost the same. Aim for no more than a regular size candy/bar daily. A regular candy bar can range from 170 to over 200 hundred calories a day. If an adult eats mindlessly -- 2 or more regular size candy bars daily -- they run the risk of gaining a pound a week. Five hundred calories a day equals a pound in a week, and it does not take long to eat that with candy eating, especially, when we (adults) are multi-tasking at the same time."
(File photo by Baltimore Sun photographer John Makely)
Comments
Stu, my advice is to put most of the candy in the freezer or hidden out of sight--for your sake and the kids. Or take the leftovers from the initial frenzy to work--they always disappear, in my experience. But negotiate with the kids--it is their candy, after all.
Posted by: Dahlink | October 26, 2009 7:01 AM
How much candy to be eaten? As much as you want. It's Halloween! Parent's percentage of the take? As much as you want (particularly if you made the costume). It's Halloween!
Posted by: ruth | October 26, 2009 7:45 AM
Great suggestions from the Registered Dietitian. Candy is a hard topic when some parents avoid it totally and some give free range. Would love more family feeding tips from the Dietitian.
Posted by: Fay Roberts | October 26, 2009 9:53 AM
We place all the candy in a bowl on top of the fridge... we don't have a set time or set amount (I don't think it's good to create a daily candy time!). What we do is let them have some (or not) if they ask, but only after meals and only if they ate well (no fair skipping dinner and asking for candy!).
We've had plenty of luck with that - the candy last year lasted 6 months, and the kids never did get into any regular habits with it.
Posted by: Dave T | October 26, 2009 10:34 AM
I let my kids choose 5 pieces of their total Halloween haul and then the rest of the candy is "traded in" for a toy at the dollar store. Works like a charm.
As for the candy, it comes with me to the office and it goes very quickly!
Posted by: Thea | October 26, 2009 7:18 PM
Wow. I love the idea of trading in the candy for a dollar store (or any) toy! I'll keep that one in mind for my clients and for when I have kids!!
Posted by: Amanda | October 27, 2009 3:42 PM
One thing that wasn't mentioned was the amount of saturated fat in some of these candies. The Reeses for instance has 30% of the DV in two cups! So I don't think it's necessarily that bad to have candies like gummy bears and candy coated popcorn. For instance, Cracker Jack has no saturated fat and contains some fiber and iron. Just make sure they brush their teeth after eating!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 28, 2009 9:26 AM
Eating candy is a hard topic - so many negative and positive points to mention...just as you mentioned the 30% DV of saturated fat and as dentist tell parents not to eat gummy like candy because it's bad for teeth. Eating in moderation is best. I prefer my child not to eat all sugar candies and gummy candy - because of tooth decay...actually more concerned of tooth decay than saturated fat at their age.
Posted by: Pam | October 28, 2009 11:57 AM
In the last paragraph it states that 500 calories equals 1 lb. That's incorrect. 3500 calories equals 1 lb!!
Hi Laura: We had amended this to make it clear that Judith is saying if you eat 500 extra calories for 7 days straight, you will end up with an extra pound (3500 calories). Thanks.
Posted by: Laura | October 29, 2009 7:22 AM
Your kids can get $1 per pound (plus a cool light-up toothbrush) for their candy at the Halloween Candy Buyback Event. (The Sun ran an article on this on October 26th.) Candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude for our troops serving overseas. More info at www.Halloweencandybuyback.com
Posted by: Dr. Nathanson | November 1, 2009 8:21 PM