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Cowboy Up Chick
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 3,796
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10 WAYS TO KEEP SWEET TOOTH UNDER CONTROL
By Loni Nannini special to the Arizona Daily Star on Friday, 20 October 2000
1) Treat children with fun alternatives.
Halloween kicks off the holidays with candy galore, but sugary treats are not required, according to Carly Berndt, research specialist with the University of Arizona department of nutritional sciences.
"Try handing out foods that aren't as high in sugar: dried fruit, boxes of raisins, snack packs of crackers or pretzel sticks with cheese, low-fat granola bars, or even boxes of fortified cereal. Frosted Flakes taste good, but are fortified with vitamins and minerals," Berndt said.
She also recommends items such as stickers, pencils and other seasonal paraphernalia.
If you must satisfy your sweet tooth, go low-fat: 3 Musketeers bars boast fewer calories than other mini candy bars; fat-free options include candy corn, jelly beans, lollipops (Dum Dums), licorice (Red Vines or Twizzlers), or gummy candies.
Just remember: Less than a half-gram of fat per serving qualifies a food as fat-free, so eating more than two servings may total more than 1 gram of fat.
"That means it isn't fat-free anymore. And of course, even if these items are low-fat, they still have a lot of sugar," Berndt said.
And consuming too much sugar-free candy (items sweetened with sugar alcohol) can cause an upset stomach.
[b]2) Confiscate a portion of the goodies. ]/b]
"Kids get so excited about their candy: They like going through it, counting it up and sorting it out. But once they have had their Halloween excitement, within the next few days, try to get rid of some of it. Toss the majority, saving their favorites," Berndt said.
3) Have milk with candy.
When kids sit down to sample their treats, make milk mandatory.
"If you can encourage drinking milk products, it will only save their teeth and bones. Tell them, 'If you are going to down that mini Snickers bar, have a glass of milk,' " Berndt said.
4) Substitute healthy seasonal foods for candy.
"Fill bowls around the house with tasty foods such as pumpkin seeds, pretzels, popcorn or raisins instead of candies that are high in sugar," Berndt said.
5) Cut out caramel apples.
"Unless caramel is just lightly drizzled on an apple, you will get a lot of sugar there. Instead, have fresh apple slices with cinnamon sprinkled over them," Berndt said.
6) Decorate pumpkins instead of pastries.
There is more than one way to get into the spirit of the season.
"As far as decorating with the family, have a pumpkin decorating session instead of decorating cookies. This is a fun way to decorate the house as well," Berndt said.
Make the most of your autumn decorations by roasting pumpkin seeds and baking low-fat mini pumpkin muffins.
"These have some sugar, but they are better than candy. And pumpkin is high in vitamin A," Berndt said.
7) Be prepared to party: Eat at home prior to the celebration.
Berndt said many people skimp on food throughout the day before attending an evening party, a habit which contributes to binging.
"Eat before you go so you are not ravenous. And do the best you can with your kids. If you can compensate for sweets by feeding them a nutritious meal with plenty of milk, fruits and vegetables before sending them off to party, you are giving them the best preparation you can. Telling them not to eat candy is one thing, but what they do on their own is another," Berndt said.
8) Offer to contribute a healthy dish to a holiday party.
"When you are encountered with Halloween parties, bring a fruit salad or veggie tray. A lot of people welcome the healthier foods. They want to be tempted by cookies and treats, but this is a nice break from the heavier foods," Berndt said.
9) Have just one bite of your favorite sweets.
"People get so excited when they go to a party. They think it is the end of the week, and they deserve it, and the first thing they want to do is go for the brownies. But the next morning they regret it. Just remember that after the second bite, it all tastes the same," Berndt said.
10) Cut back on alcohol.
"Research indicates that when you drink alcohol, your appetite increases. Limit alcohol and drink water along with it," Berndt said.
Resource: Carly Berndt, research specialist with the University of Arizona's department of nutritional sciences.
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