Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We're talking about Halloween this week on Healthwatch. Kids look forward to the haul of sweet Halloween loot, while parents look forward to eating the leftover candy or taking advantage of the post-Halloween candy sale. But nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say parents need to regulate the Halloween sugar intake for themselves and their children.
Lona Sandon, a UT Southwestern nutritionist, says a good candy ration is no more than three bite-sized pieces or one fun-sized bar. Set some rules about when candy can be eaten, such as for dessert after dinner but not before a meal. Limit candy eating to a few times a week.
Parents should set an example by not overdoing it on candy, themselves. Staying away from the post-Halloween sales might help.
###
October 2005
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on the "Stardust" format of ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
