Halloween candy may be dandy, but those dentist bills won't be
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Halloween candy likely will ooze its way into your life today, whether it's in the hands of your children, the leftovers at home or co-workers who share their candy wealth.
Advertiser library photo • 2001
But what about those healthy eating vows you were taking this year? State health officials offer some survival tips for starting the holiday season without taking a vow of chocolate abstinence or giving the trick-or-treaters a sackful of apples.
Lauren Chong, 2, of Hawai'i Kai, had a safe Halloween with supervision and a safe environment.
Nutritionists and dental hygienist Susan Tengan, of the dental health division, helped us come up with a practical list. Outlawing all candy wasn't an option.
For example, Tengan advises parents to discourage children from nibbling candy constantly. "It's better if they just sit down, eat a whole bunch, maybe after dinner." Then they should brush or at least rinse their mouth with water, she said.
If you eat candy every day, the bacteria or germs in your mouth will feed on the sugar and turn to acid, which attacks the enamel of the teeth and causes decay.
Tengan suggests choosing your treats wisely. "Eating chocolate isn't as bad as eating caramel," she said.
• Avoid certain candies. Don't buy or eat the chewy, sticky kind that stick to your teeth, or lollipops that you suck on for 20 minutes at a time.
• Swap sweets from a child's trick-or-treat bag for special activities or games. Maybe if you took the kids to the zoo, a hike or the beach, it would sweeten the idea of giving up a pound or two of the candy loot.
• Hand out some non-candy treats: stickers, crayons, hair clips, or other little toys.
• Stock up on some healthier snacks for around the house: fruit, carrots, pretzels, crackers, sugarless gum. You and your family are a lot more likely to eat food that's healthy if it's convenient.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
