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HEALTHOWEEN
TREATS
Auburn, Oct. 5---With
a little creative shopping, treat-givers can turn this Halloween
into a happy "Healthoween."
According to Evelyn
Crayton, a foods and nutrition specialist with the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System, children are much more health
conscious these days. "Those of us on the giving end can
reinforce the health message by sending trick-or-treaters home with
a bag of nutritious treats," Crayton says.
Potential treats can be
found on nearly every grocery store aisle if shoppers look
carefully.
Crayton encourages
shoppers to look for individually wrapped snacks or boxed items
containing packets.
She suggests the
following nutritious treats: packaged fruit snacks; granola bars
with raisins, oatmeal or peanut butter; boxed or canned fruit
juices; string cheese or other small cheese packages; sugarless gum;
minipuddings or applesauce; miniature packs of nuts (for older
children); dried fruits, such as raisins or banana chips;
single-serving, boxed cereals; packaged crackers with peanut butter
or cheese filling and freeze-dried ice cream.
Nonfood items make good
treats too. Minipumpkins to decorate, crayons, pencils, stickers,
food or frozen yogurt gift certificates and even coins can be
special treats.
Halloween sends a mixed
message to children, says Crayton.
"All of a sudden we
forget good eating habits and say come get more candy than you can
possibly eat. It's time we change that message."
Crayton says coming home
with a bag of healthy treats can be just as rewarding for the kids
because the treats can be part of their lunch and after-school
snacks for several weeks.
Source: Dr. Evelyn
Crayton, Food and Nutrition Specialist, Alabama Cooperative
Extension System, (334) 844-2224
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