It can be fun to dress up, act a little silly and eat tons of yummy candy on Halloween. But did you know the average plastic jack-o-lantern bucket can hold about 250 pieces of small candy? That translates to about 9,000 calories, 200 grams of fat and 1,500 grams of sugar.
While a little candy here and there is OK for most people, eating that much candy can negatively impact your health. Read on to learn why Halloween and your health don't always complement one another.
Sugar, sugar, sugar
There is nothing in candy but calories in the form of sugar and fat. That means candy has basically no nutritional value. Not only can too much sugar can cause cavities in teeth, but it also impacts the body's insulin production. When insulin levels get out of line, you are at increased risk for cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and obesity.
Are any candies healthy?
Some candy ingredients can be beneficial to your health. For example, chocolate which contains antioxidants that may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Here are some other "good" candy ingredients.
- Raisins contain resveratrol which reduces heart disease and cancer.
- Nuts, seeds and peanut butter also contain resveratrol as well as healthy fats and minerals that reduce heart disease and cancer. They can also help you lose weight when eaten in small quantities.
- Xylitol gum/candy kills oral bacteria and increases mineralization of teeth.
How do you balance Halloween and Your Health?
The key to having fun on Halloween and protecting your health comes down to moderation. Eating large amounts of candy will displace nutritious food that should be included in your daily diet.
In the days and weeks around Halloween when you've got more candy than usual at your house, make sure you're also eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and fiber to balance the increased sugar. Don't keep candy within sight to decrease temptation and brush your teeth after consuming sugary treats.
Do you plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters this year?