Dieticians and dentists have some tips for a safe and fun Halloween.
The amount of candy being handed out this time of year can be frightening to some, but don’t worry. There are ways to avoid the dreaded tummy ache.
Registered dietician and personal trainer, Chinwe Asagwara recommends having a game plan. Figure out how long trick-or-treating will take and how much candy you want to keep.
She says it’s all about moderation. "And making sure children and adults are still eating balanced meals. Just making sure that candy isn't replacing regular meals, and regular food, and good calories."
One way to resist constant snacking is by eating your treats only with a meal, or setting a treat time.
Use a small bag, stay away from sticky treats, and ditch candies your kids don’t like.
Dr. Joel Antel from the Manitoba Dental Association says once you start eating those goodies, don't stop.
"Enjoy the candy, but what counts is the frequency rather than how much, because any time you take something in the mouth, whether it's good food, bad food, it's going to raise the acid level in the mouth high enough to cause decay."
Antel says take a few hours break between any candy eating times to reverse the damage. Otherwise, he says regular brushing and good oral health is enough to keep cavities away.
Another good tip is to use a small bag when trick-or-treating.
Parents should make sure their kids’ costumes fit and try to avoid masks that could block their vision.
For anyone looking to head outdoors for their trick-or-treating, the Winnipeg Police Service suggests wearing a bright, reflective costume, carrying a flashlight and staying on the sidewalks.
Halloween is a night when your child's risk of being hit by a car is the highest, so motorists you should also slow down, and keep an eye out for the kids.
The Winnipeg Police Service says trick-or-treaters should only eat treats that have been examined by a parent. Parents should look for any signs of tampering, avoid homemade treats and throw away anything that looks suspicious.
