Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com
Growing concerns about child obesity, toy recalls and the environment are fueling a grassroots movement for a healthier Halloween.
There are many ways parents can answer the chant "Trick-or-treat. Gimme something good to eat!"
Instead of candy, the treats could be organic juice boxes, beads, or simple toys. Some cost as little as 10 cents each.
"Kids are so overexposed to candy," said Corey Colwell-Lipson, founder of GreenHalloween.org in Seattle. "Treats are not treats anymore."
High-fructose corn syrup, for example, is being processed into bread, cereal, peanut butter, ketchup and spaghetti sauce, among other items. The sugar high is even more pronounced at Halloween, with the average bag of treats containing three cups of sugar, according to a recent study.
Some spooked parents are talking to their kids about going "candy free" this year, emphasizing ways to make Halloween happy and healthy, Colwell-Lipson said.
Certainly younger kids with less Halloween experience would have a smoother transition than older children. But embracing a green Halloween doesn't have to be a "black or white" decision, Colwell-Lipson added. One approach to find middle ground would allow kids to "swap out" a certain amount of sugary items in their trick-or-treat-bag for healthier alternatives, activities or games their parents provide.
Overall, the thinking for parents is "I care about you (the child), the health of other kids and our planet, and we're going to do some new things this year," Colwell-Lipson said.
Sticky Situation
Sugar creeps into many parts of the body, with dental disease a big threat to
kids, warned the Washington Dental Service. Cavity-causing organisms within
plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid, which attacks tooth enamel and
causes tooth decay. Sugar also strips away other essential nutrients, which can
have a negative impact on immunity.
The trouble is, some alternatives to sweet foods are not always the best choice because they still contain some level of sugar or sweetener.
"Substituting organic fruits and honey sticks is not getting to the bottom of [the problem] because it's still sugar," said Trudy Scott, a nutritionist serving clients in Marin County and Sacramento, Calif. She recommended that if parents choose to serve organic fruit juice they should dilute it with water.
The goal of GreenHalloween.org is to promote tricks and treats that are healthy, earthy friendly, American made or manufactured in safe conditions and by workers who are paid fairly. While hitting each of those three notes is tricky, a difference can still be made if people hit one.
Colwell-Lipson acknowledged that candy remains a huge part of the Halloween tradition for some people, and not every parent will feel the impetus to encourage change. She said she's received e-mails from individuals who ask, "Why don't you just leave Halloween alone?"
The Sweetest Generation
Different generations have varying attitudes about candy and sugar, Colwell-Lipson
explained. For example, many adults didn't grow up with the big exposure to
sugar that many kids do today with the greater availability of high fat and high
sugar foods.
A comparison of juices by HookedOnJuice.com found that 12 ounces of Walnut Acres Organic 100 Percent Apple Juice contains 10 teaspoons of sugar; Eden Organic Montmorency Cherry Juice (no sweetener added), nine teaspoons; and R.W. Knudsen Unsweetened Concord Grape Juice, 15 teaspoons.
Some candy stores and manufacturers have responded in recent years with sugar-free offerings. See's Candy, for example, sells a sugar-free dark chocolate bar for $1.75, as well as sugar-free walnut candy and peanut brittle, priced at $8.25 and $7;.25, respectively, for a half pound, said Hanan Saliba, manager of a Corte Madera See's Candy store. She wouldn't comment on candy sales overall, but noted that "business has been good" leading up to Halloween.
Still, Scott cautioned that parents should pay close attention to sugar-free food labels, noting that most products may contain artificial sweeteners, which could do more harm to the body than good over time.
Discounted Tricks
Buying new types of tricks and treats shouldn't scare budget-watchers. In fact
some items are comparable, if not less, than candy. For example, honey sticks
can be purchased at local farmers markets for as little as 10 cents apiece, or
about 20 cents each at grocers like Whole Foods and Trader Joes, Corey said.
In comparison, the average U.S. consumer will spend $18.72 on Halloween candy this year, according to the National Retail Federation. A bag of Reese's peanut butter cups, for example, which many stores have discounted ahead of the holiday, is selling for an average of $2 for 24 pieces (or 8.3 cents each).
Among other items, a box of organic fruit leather containing 30 pieces is about $14. Halloween stickers are pennies apiece, Colwell-Lipson said. So, too, are certain types of beads, which tend to be popular with "tweens" who are 10-15, she added. Or, painted wood spinning tops are $4.95 a dozen.
Celebrating an eco-friendly holiday encompasses much more than what goes into the bag. GreenHalloween.org also has alternative ideas for healthy Halloween parties, links to retailers who offer earth-friendly and recycled items, as well as information on how to dispose of unwanted candy. Many communities now provide food scrap recycling.
Healthy and eco-friendly holidays won't be confined to Halloween, either. Colwell-Lipson's goal and vision is to eventually create a community movement that approaches birthdays, Christmas, Easter and other holidays with the same attitude.
