As a parent, you are probably concerned about the amount of sugar in your child's diet. Too much sugar is linked to poor health outcomes, and many caregivers believe sugar contributes to behavior issues. So what do parents do come Halloween? Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project. This is a new way to participate in the holiday while protecting kids with food allergies and cutting back on sugar intake.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
Halloween is a tough time for kids with food allergies or dietary restrictions. The Teal Pumpkin Project was started by Food Allergy Research and Education to make the holiday safe and inclusive for all children. To participate, families place a teal pumpkin on their front steps or porch to alert trick or treaters that they have non-food treats available. Some also register their home on the FARE Teal Pumpkin Project map to make it easier for visitors to find places that offer Halloween alternatives.
How Does Sugar Affect Kids?
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a great alternative for parents who want to limit their children's sugar intake. Many feel too much sugar makes kids hyper or rowdy. Health experts recommend lowering the amount of sugar in children's diets to prevent increased risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association guidelines say kids between the ages of 2 to 18 should eat no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day, and those under 2 years of age should have no added sugars at all.
Ideas for Teal Pumpkin Treats
Homes that choose to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project can put non-food items in a separate bowl from candy, to prevent cross-contamination. There are many safe and affordable options for non-food treats, such as:
- Crayons, markers, pens, pencils, mini notepads
- Bracelets, necklaces, rings, hair accessories
- Toys, bouncey balls, whistles, kazoos
- Stickers, bookmarks, stencils
By supporting the Teal Pumpkin Project, families are making Halloween an inclusive holiday for all kids. They are also contributing to healthier options for all children.
Healthy nutrition is a big part of The Brain Balance Program! Known as The Balance 360 System, our approach to nutrition is a step-by-step system that busy parents can easily follow to manage your child’s nutrition and optimize a balanced brain. The Balance 360 System is specifically designed to help children become healthy eaters. It is not a weight loss program. It is a logical and structured system that puts nutrition on the right track.
If you'd like to support your child's goals, all while targeting the root cause of their ongoing struggles, here's how to get started! If you'd like to learn more about Brain Balance's Research and Results click here!