Ready to get scared this Halloween? As a child, one of our favorite holiday traditions was trick-or-treating. Going door-to-door, ringing doorbells, just to receive sugary treats. Now that we are a bit older, we think about the calories and unhealthy habits of our childhood. Did you know that the average child consumes about 3,190 calories from Halloween candy and parents consume an extra 1,710 calories each from candy, according to Medical Daily.
Excessive sugar consumption is very harmful to the body. There are many reasons why sugar is bad for you. It can raise your cholesterol and give you heart disease, which is the number one killer in the world. Sugar, which is highly addictive, can affect hormones, cause cancer, progress Type II Diabetes, and overload the liver. Visit Healthline to learn more about the negative effects of sugar on the body.
Sugar is also the leading contributor to obesity for adults and children. As global childhood obesity has become an epidemic with around 268 million children expected to be overweight by 2025, according to the World Obesity Federation. It has become increasingly important to teach our children healthy habits.
So how do you control your sugar intake? It won’t be simple to break unhealthy habits, but it is possible.
Pay attention to portions
It’s okay to have candy from time to time. Just make sure to limit portion sizes. Instead of letting your child eat the entire bag of candy earned on Halloween, let them pick one or two candies out of the bag. It’ll make the sweets last longer and it’ll be healthier for your child.
Eat less processed foods
A lot of sugar intake is actually hidden. The average adult consumes about 22 teaspoons of added sugars every day. Many of the foods that we’ve been taught are healthy, actually have a high amount of sugar. For example, cereal and flavored oatmeal, granola bars, and sweetened yogurts.
Shop on a full stomach
We’ve all done it and we are all aware of the consequences. When grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you are more likely to buy unhealthy, fatty and sugary foods. Try to grab lunch before grocery shopping or have a quick snack. It’ll save you calories and dollars.
Eat Healthy Sugars
We still encourage you to eat sugar. Just eat the natural kind. Your body’s primary source of energy is from glucose. Be sure to continue eating fruits, yogurt, vegetables, beans, and other healthy foods. Plus, natural fruits will help stop your unnatural sugar cravings!
No matter the season or holiday, make sure you are limiting your sugar intake. Increasing water consumption by 1 percent can reduce total calorie intake and reduce consumption of sugar. So make sure you have your Glasstic nearby and stay hydrated throughout the year.
