Most Iowa parents know better than to let their little goblins gobble up all of their Halloween loot on trick-or-treat night. Registered dietician Cindy Leuck (LUKE) suggests doling out the sweets in small doses, and setting the kids’ expectations ahead of time so they know it won’t be an all-out sugar feast.
Those shiny wrapped candies may not look that large, but Leuck says they can pack an extremely sugary punch.
If you’ll be switching on your porch lights and welcoming trick-or-treaters, Leuck suggests you consider a few alternatives to the traditional Halloween fare.
Parents will want to inspect the treats their kids bring home before they dig in, making sure the wrappers are intact and there’s no sign of tampering. Sometimes, there may be a baggie of homemade cookies or a popcorn ball. Are those safe?
If the homemade treats came from a house you don’t know, she says you might just throw that treat out to be on the safe side. Leuck is a registered dietitian for Emplify Health by Gundersen, which has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.
