Let Post-Halloween Recovery Jump Start Healthy Holiday Habits

Julie: We used to get so much candy that I still had it left the next year. I had to go home at least once during the night, empty my pillowcase out and start over again. Moreover, some families gave out full or king sized bars (which took me 2 days to finish). My parents taught me moderation at a young age, so I could be trusted by the age of 8 or so to keep my candy in a drawer in my room and not gorge myself on it. Also, the couple of times I did eat more than a couple of pieces I immediately regretted it because I felt like crap afterwards. My body was raised on primarily healthy food and after a piece or two, the mass produced, low quality candy passed out at halloween (Snickers, Reeses, Milky Way, Hershey's, starburst, etc.) is so disgustingly, sickeningly artificial and sweet tasting it's not even enjoyable. I was giving my candy away because I had so much of it. Who eats or even enjoys all of that crap and what responsible parent allows their child to eat more than a couple of pieces a day?

This just confirms what I do every year, and I am glad I am not the only one. I turn the holidays into a month long splurge. I love to indulge in holiday treats, because it makes me feel happy. But this year I did think the same thing that this article is telling us. The holiday is only one day, okay maybe 2 for Christmas, since we have Christmas Eve. I have been thinking of being strong this year and telling myself, I will enjoy the treats when the day gets here.

"that portal photo for this article is ridiculous. who the hell bites into a choc bar that big??"
I WOULD! ESPECIALLY NOW PMS!

You're an adult. It's your job to control your child's eating habits and your own. You should not need to get back on track after Halloween. Keep the candy in a drawer that is out of their sight and reach, allow them to have a small piece with lunch and another small piece after dinner. If you are going to raid their candy, keep the same rules for yourself. If they got too much candy, bring some into the office and put it in a bowl for your coworkers to eat. If you bought too much candy do the same thing or see if you can return any unopened bags to the store you bought them from. This really isn't difficult. It's just common sense.

Giz, you remind me of my mom when I was young who gave our halloween suckers away to other people because they would "rot our teeth"... I am 35 and I still have not completely forgiven her. (Haha) But really... giving away your kids candy????!!!! Im sorry but that sucks.

trhfhfgh

Jessica: How to you think you help your kids make the right choices? YOu provide them with healthy food, don't stock junk food in the house and teach them that treats are just that: treats that are not something to be eaten everyday and in large quanities. That's how my parents were and I think it was great. Limiting your kid to a couple peices of candy a day isn't controlling, it's caring for them. You're not telling them they can't eat chocolate, you're telling them they can't eat unlimited amounts. I grew up learning how to enjoy a variety of foods, getting to enjoy my favorite treats in moderation and never having to worry about my weight or my health. When I was old enough, because of what my parents had taught me, I was able to make my own responsible food choices. I never felt the need to rebel like my friends did (with food or anything else) because my parents were open and honest with me about everything. Sure, I made some mistakes along the way, but of the people (female especially) I grew up with, I am one of the few who maintains a healthy lifestyle, never had an eating disorder or a weight problem.

I baby sat for a family back in the day that basically didn't allow their children to eat any candy, pastry items, fattening food or junk food ever. If those kids saw one piece of candy, a cookie, a potato chip or a scoop of ice cream in a month, they were lucky. I would NEVER do that to my children and agree that is controlling to the point of being detrimental, but there is a balance.

One way to get rid of leftover candy......check with your dentist.
there are over 2000 dentists who will buy the candy for $1.00 per pound and they will send it to our troops in Iraq and Afganistan. Pretty cool!

Wow I didn't know dentists did that. That's awesome!
Anyways. I am a high school student and this year I went Trick-Or-Treating. I didn't get a whole lot of candy, but I did get a bit.
I ate it all. I felt so bad!
And when my P.E teacher sprung a suprize mile... uhg. It was the worst! But i didn't do to bad. 8:56... not my fastest. But I feel a whole lot better after knowing that I have actually done something to not make me fat hehe

that portal photo for this article is ridiculous. who the hell bites into a choc bar that big??

I just took the PB items out and have had ONE PB pumpkin so far. He doesnt like PB and PB candy has more protein than other varieties.

What's even more ridiculous is that stores charge $10 for a bag of colored sugar. It was $3-4 just a few years ago, and making it costs them even less.

Whoa harsh this person is just trying to help, you know.

Giz, you're not supposed to control you're kids' eating habits, you're supposed to help them make the right choices. The more you try to control your children, the more likely (and possibly severely) they are going to rebel. Let them make their own choices and mistakes. Children and teens are better off learning from their mistakes and knowing the consequences of those mistakes rather than not being allowed to make mistakes. Trust me, I've been there; my dad and his side of the family were pretty controlling and strict-ish. I hated it so much.

Sounds like someone needs to pull the stick out of their bum... *coughgizcough*