Ghouls, Goblins and Gobs of Candy

Ideas for Doling Out Those Hard-earned Treats

By Alice Patenaude

It's the scariest night of the year. Ghosts, devils and other assorted ghouls walk the streets, scaring those who are brave enough to open their doors. But, there's another fear, one that especially hits home with parents, that strikes this time of year: what to do with that mountain of candy your kids bring home.

There's certainly enough candy to go around. According to a recent survey by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and National Confectioners Association, 93 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 go trick-or-treating. The associations also cite that parents will spend $950 million this year on candy to fill those trick-or-treat bags.

Here are some tips from the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and National Confectioners Association on how parents can manage their kids' snacking on all of those Halloween treats:

• Inspect all items in your child's trick-or-treat bag before any are consumed.
• Limit Halloween night consumption to avoid upset tummies from too much food and excitement
• Teach balance and moderation: Meals featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains are nutritious and important; goodies from the trick-or-treat bag are for desserts or snacks.
• Limit snacking on all foods, brush teeth twice a day and floss, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which also reminds parents that any food that contains starch or sugar, such as crackers or bread, can cause acid to form on teeth that can lead to cavities.
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