Halloween is the kick-off for several candy-filled months. Those fall-colored foil candy wrappers look so festive in your holiday candy dish, right?

Halloween is a favorite holiday for both the young and old, but it can also be a frustrating time for parents who are trying to encourage their kids to eat healthy foods, and to eat sweets in moderation. Adults can also have difficulty controlling calorie intake during this candy-focused holiday.

So how do we handle those huge bags of candy that come back to the house after a night of trick or treating?

--- Set limits to a certain number of pieces of candy each day.

--- Put the candy bag out of reach and out of sight. Many kids will forget it's there.

--- Trade candy with the dentist office for small toys.

--- Encourage sharing candy.

--- Eat a healthy meal prior to trick-or-treating.

--- Be a role model, eating Halloween candy in moderation yourself.

--- Encourage mindful eating with candy; stopping before they feel full or sick.

How about offering some healthier treats to those ghosts and goblins that will be knocking on your door this Halloween? Consider:

--- Non-food treats like stickers, toys, temporary tattoos, false teeth, bubbles, crayons, pencils, etc.

--- Small bags of pretzels, goldfish crackers, trail mix, raisins, nuts, granola bars, cereal bars, popcorn and sugar-free gum


--- Small boxes of unsweetened cereal

Halloween, like every other holiday, is just one day. Enjoy the day, and try not to turn it into weeks or months of over indulgence.

Okay, so you ate more candy then you planned on eating. The "devil" made you do it, right? Spend more minutes exercising over the next few days to account for those additional calories.

I won't be a witch and say "don't eat any candy this Halloween," but have a plan and broom-stick to it! Have a "fang-tastic" night!

Jodie Orwig is the director of nutrition services at Gettysburg Hospital. Healthy Helpings is a column written by nutritionists in York and Adams counties.

Pumpkin nutrition

Wondering what to do with the inside of that Jack-O-Lantern? Don't throw it out for the "bats." There is a lot of good nutrition packed inside those pumpkins, which are especially high in fiber, potassium, the anti-oxidant beta-carotene and vitamin A.

--- Use the pulp for healthy baked goods such as muffins and quick breads or pumpkin pancakes. Use whole wheat flour, canola oil and egg whites to keep them heart-healthy.

--- Fresh pumpkin soup is also warm and nourishing on a cool fall day.

--- Don't forget the about the seeds. Roast them in the oven with a small amount of olive oil for a healthy, high-fiber snack.