I once read an article in which statisticians predict that Americans will spend “approximately” $3.5 billion on Halloween candy this year. Believe it or not, this is a slight decrease from last year. However, there are a lot of sweets. In my experience, it’s not just kids who enjoy these treats.
Don’t get me wrong. I look forward to my grandchildren and other children arriving at my door in their imaginative costumes. Sometimes I even convinced my husband to dress appropriately for the occasion. As long as he can wear a cowboy hat, he’s a pretty good sport.
Last year I dressed up as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. We thought this was a great idea until most of the audience members we knew, who were under 40, looked at us curiously and said, “Who?”
According to Wikipedia, trick-or-treating apparently originates from Ireland and Scotland, where the tradition of donning costumes and going door-to-door in exchange for treats dates back to at least the 16th century. Additionally, the phrase “trick-or-treat”, which means you should hand out candy if you don’t want to be pranked, was first recorded in Canada in the early 1900s.
So…for the sake of tradition, should we contribute to our little darlings’ cavities and increased sugar content? It’s a personal choice. Whether you want to invest in Halloween or not, we have a choice. One is to turn off the porch light and hide in the basement. Another option is to ease your guilt with healthier snacks, like a small box of raisins or individually wrapped popcorn.
Our small town sponsors a “trunk-or-treat” event downtown, where local hospitals and other businesses hand out safe treats to children in costume.
Another program started in 1950 is called “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” (United Nations Children’s Fund) www.unicefusa.org. Instead of begging for sweets, the children go door to door with UNICEF boxes, raising money to help needy young people around the world. (I think I would still give them a treat if they came to my door.)
And I recently learned about the word play “trick or eat.” It’s a play on words where older youth wear costumes to collect food donations for local food banks. good idea.
Certainly, that candy has no nutritional value for children. However, children are looking forward to dressing up and going out with friends and family. As adults, we can keep our children safe by choosing where they go and setting limits on how much is “enough.”
But I have a confession. I love watching little ghosts, goblins, pirates and princesses come to my door with expectant looks on their faces. I just hope they brush their teeth when they get home.
(Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist and syndicated columnist. She is the author of Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating. Email barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.)
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