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Rethink Halloween goodies

Media contact:

Robert E. Thomas
Information Specialist
University of Missouri Cooperative Media Group
Phone: 573-882-2480
E-Mail: thomasr@missouri.edu

Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Story source:

Ann Cohen, 573-882-2435

COLUMBIA, Mo.—With one out of five U.S. children now overweight or obese, you may want to rethink the goodies you give out to all those young trick-or-treaters this Halloween, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.

“Raisins, popcorn and pretzels make healthier choices,” said Ann Cohen. “Other alternatives to candy could include pencils or stickers.”

For those who don’t want to break tradition, Cohen suggests lollipops or small pieces of hard candy. These have less fat than chocolates and tend to have fewer calories.

“Parents should also help their children select just a few pieces of candy to have in the days after Halloween so that they learn to enjoy their treats in small amounts,” she said.

Research by the Nielsen Company estimates that sales of Halloween candy will top $2 billion this year. According to the National Confectioners Association, trick-or-treaters will collect about 20 million pounds of candy corn.

Trick-or-treaters average at least 50 pieces of candy, according to a survey by the Nemours Foundation.

“People may want to question the annual practice of giving out empty-calorie, sugar-laden sweets to trick-or-treaters,” Cohen said.

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