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Feature Articles Food, Fitness, and
Holidays Alternative Party TreatsAdapted by Jo Britt-Rankin, state nutrition specialist, University of Missouri Extension Written by Janet Hackert, regional nutrition and health education specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Childhood obesity is on the rise, which can be a scary thing during the holidays. |
 When it is time to give kids a treat, consider fun alternatives that promote health rather than encourage unhealthy choices. |
When it is time to give kids a treat, it is easy to think of candy or soda pop. However, there are fun alternatives available that promote health rather than encourage unhealthy choices.
University of Missouri-Columbia Professor Frank Booth says
many people incorrectly believe that overeating is the sole
cause of obesity.
“Body weight is a balance between caloric intake and
expenditure,” Booth said.
When looking for treats for party-goers or trick-or-treaters,
think outside the box. Consider nutritious and tasty foods and
non-food options, including things that get children up and
moving to use the calories they have consumed.
Individual packages of dried fruit or baked pretzels are easy
to distribute. Fresh fruit, often called nature’s candy, can
also be a real treat.
Examples of enjoyable non-food treats are stickers, rub-on
tattoos, pencils, bookmarks, bottles of bubbles and other
trinkets. To encourage the children you care about to be more
physically active, consider small, inexpensive toys that will
encourage them to get up and move. This might be as simple as a
bouncy ball, a beanbag for hacky sack, a plastic or foam flier,
a jump rope, or sidewalk chalk for drawing a hopscotch or
foursquare game.
The possibilities for healthy treats are endless. The ideas
can be used at Halloween or at harvest or birthday parties. They
can also be used or expanded for other holiday parties.
Show children how much you care by giving them a gift that helps them choose wisely today and start a lifetime of healthy habits. Make smart choices from each food group, select nutrient-dense foods, and always remember to balance food intake with physical activity.
Last update: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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