You’ve probably heard the phrase, “everything in moderation…” and it may make sense to you as an adult, but what about your kids? On Trick or Treat night, moderation is the farthest thing from their minds. Of course, enjoying things in moderation is a good practice for people of all ages, but how do you impart that idea to children whose only interest is eating as much candy as possible?

Halloween is the perfect time of year to teach your kids about moderation, and their giant bag of candy can be an excellent teacher’s assistant. Here are a few tips to help you teach your kids how to enjoy their candy in moderation so they can avoid doing too much damage to their teeth and gums:

Be a Role Model

Your kids look up to you, so it’s important to provide a good example for them to follow. If they see you eating excessive amounts of candy around Halloween, they might feel it’s okay for them to do the same. If you want to teach your kids about moderation, you can start by exercising some self-control of your own.

Set Limits and Stick with Them

Talk to your kids about a reasonable amount of candy to eat on Trick or Treat night and every day after. Together, you can decide on a limit that seems reasonable. That could be 10 pieces of candy, or it could be more or less; the important thing is that you and your kids decide on a limit together and that you help them stick to that limit. For example, you could take out 10 pieces of fun-size candy for them to enjoy throughout each day and put the rest somewhere else where they can’t get to it.

Prepare a Filling Meal Before Trick or Treat Night

A belly full of healthy food can help your kids exercise more self-control regarding candy. Before you head out for Trick or Treat, prepare a nutritious and filling meal. That way, their Halloween candy can be a nice dessert, and they won’t be tempted to overindulge. 

Teach Kids About Portion Control

Most nutritionists agree that controlling your portions is crucial to a healthy diet. It’s okay to enjoy foods that are considered unhealthy – like Halloween candy – as long as you don’t eat them in excess. You can use this philosophy in conjunction with the limits that you set to teach kids that, while candy is not the enemy, it is best enjoyed as a nice treat. As a bonus, you can teach them that if they control their portions, that big bag of Halloween candy will last much longer!

Discuss the Nutritional Value of Candy in Relation to Other Foods

Again, you don’t want your kids to be afraid of eating Halloween candy; it’s a fun part of childhood that they will treasure their entire lives. Instead, teach them about the benefits and drawbacks of eating certain foods. For example, you can teach them that many types of candy – like those that contain nuts and dairy – can be a great way to get some quick protein and carbs for energy. Of course, it also contains a lot of sugar that can feed the mouth bacteria that damage their teeth and gums. Compare that to other foods so they can get a sense of how the things they eat affect their bodies. Remember that learning about nutrition is a lifelong process, and it’s never too early to teach kids about the science behind nutrition.

Family Dentist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Even if your kids practice moderation during the Halloween season, cavities can happen, and regular visits to the dentist should be a part of every kid’s life. If you live in New Jersey or the greater Philadelphia area, ZDental has 7 family dentistry practices near you! Visit our contact page to find a clinic near you if you need family dentistry in Bensalem, PA, or anywhere else nearby.