10 tips to ease Halloween candy overload

Gruesome costumes and gory masks may not be the scariest things at your home on Halloween. Instead, it may be the pudge that lurks below the costumes.

Here are some ways that parents can get a handle on Halloween treats so children feel neither deprived, nor sick to their stomachs:

• Before Halloween, decide with children on what is a reasonable amount of candy to eat that night and beyond. Will the candy be packaged in small bags to make the holiday last longer, rationed to a piece or two a day, donated or thrown away?

• Feed children dinner before trick or treating so they will not be ravenous and want to fill up on candy while going from house to house.

• Go out early, when candy-givers are less likely to encourage children to grab a handful of candy so they don't end up stuck with it.

• Do not ban candy or ditch it when the kids aren't looking; it may just make them want it more.

• Parents should be good role models by not eating all the candy themselves.

• Let children enjoy some sweets on the holiday while focusing on good nutrition the rest of the year.

• Offer candy alternatives alone, or alongside candy, to give trick-or-treaters a choice.

• Take some emphasis off candy by focusing on the fun of the holiday, like checking out the costumes and decorated houses.

• Walk, don't drive, if possible, to get some physical activity while candy collecting.

• Suggest kids wait to eat candy until they get home, where parents can inspect the wrappers to ensure they're tightly sealed. Parents should consider throwing out everything else.

Sources: Dr. Sarah Armstrong, Duke Children's Hospital pediatrician; American Dietetic Association.