Healthy Halloween Tips

 On Halloween, our little “trick or treaters” get so much candy, full of sugar and chemical additives. Sugar is known to cause hyperactivity in children and dental cavaties, as well as mood swings, depression, and obesity. But, it’s also the other chemical additives, including artificial and natural flavors and FD&C colors, most of which are derived from coal tar, which is a carcinogen.
Here are some tips on how to reduce the sugar and chemical load this Halloween:
• Instead of candy, give penny toys, removable tattoos, stickers, apples or mini boxes of raisins.
• If you have little ones, have a party at your house and give toys, stickers and healthy snacks.
• If your kids do go out trick or treating, let them choose five candy treats from their treat bag. Allow them to eat only one a day and put the rest away. They’ll probably forget about the candy after that. It is always fun to have spooky food on Halloween. So why not get creative and make your own recipes using the below list as inspiration. Aim for lots of color and texture.
• Black: poppy seeds, raisins, black beans, cocoa
• Purple: blueberries, purple cabbages, blackberries, eggplant/plum (skin only)
• Green: leafy greens, broccoli, kiwis, peas, green beans, avocados, celery, herbs, skin of green apples
• Orange: pumpkin and other winter squash, oranges, carrots, cantaloupes, orange bell peppers, yams
• Red: strawberries, cherries, raspberries, red bell peppers, cranberries, tomatoes, pomegranates, red delicious apples (skin only)
• Yellow: pineapples, bananas, corn, yellow bell peppers
• White: coconuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lychees.
We hope everyone has a happy and healthy Halloween. Stay safe and keep a look out for zombies.
Unruh Spine Center is located at 23043 Lyons Avenue in Santa Clarita. For more information, please call 661-288-0022 and visit www.unruhspinecenter.com.