It's getting scarier and scarier every Halloween. No, I don't mean the ghosts and goblins--I mean the so-called "treats" we are feeding our children.  Don't exclude the adults from this feeding frenzy, as most of us have been caught dipping into that candy bowl.  In fact, how many of us bought bags of candy way back in the beginning of September, only to realize that by now, the candy has magically disappeared despite them being hidden away from the kids in a closet??

The "scary" part is that candy is not the same as candy was years ago.  The candy is not just filled with sugar, but with unidentifiable chemicals, dyes and preservatives.  Check out this chart compiled by  FoodBabe.com

 

 Most of the above are filled with Genetically Modified ingredients, with ingredients linked to increased risk of cancer, asthma, allergies and dermatitis, hyperactivity in children and more. Are these little bites innocent treats?  You be the judge.  You could say that it's only one night a year, but these days Halloween tends to be a month-long celebration in our schools and socially where so many of our children are stuck in a sugar/chemical coma during the whole month of October.

First, there are alternatives.  Buy candy that is NOT Franken-candy, but is made with real ingredients that you can pronounce and understand.  Natural chocolate can be found at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.  Check out great brands such as OCHO Minis (chocolates with caramel), Justin's Organic Peanut Butter Cups, Unreal Candy Coated Milk Chocolate (similar to M & M's), or YumEarth Organic Pops (lollipops).  Granted these are all still filled with sugar, but at least they are not filled with all of the other dangerous chemicals and preservatives mentioned above. I'm sticking with the Yummy Earth Lollis and stickers (yes, I dipped into these already as they are sooooo good).

Second, you don't always NEED to give out candy.  Hello, Jill??  Isn't that what Halloween is all about?  I personally learned long ago when my daughter was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease over 10 years ago, that every holiday does not need to revolve around food.  In our family, we needed to change our lifestyle from what a typical American family ate of pizza, pasta and ice-cream to more wholesome one-ingredient foods.   While we made our share of healthier versions of delicious cookies and treats, we started to emphasize togetherness and little games or thoughtful trinkets.  Why not give out stickers or little toys that can be found at the Dollar Store?  Let's face it, these kids will get boatloads of candy anyway.  You may as well get a "healthier" alternative that lasts more than the 2 seconds it takes to devour the normal Halloween treat.

Third, speaking of the abundance, make Halloween a teachable moment in giving and gratitude.  There are plenty of  charities that will sell your donated candy to buy needed household items for the homeless such as Ronald McDonald House.  You can even donate your candy to support our troops by going to Operation Gratitude and Operation Shoebox.  Just be sure to send them the good stuff:) 

 

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