Halloween season is here!

 Autumn decorations, play some scary music, watch a horror movie, take in some haunted houses or corn mazes, and visit the pumpkin patch to find that perfect specimen for your jack-o-lantern.  And then of course, there's always my favorite part:  awaiting the costumed trick-or-treaters and handing out Halloween candy! 

This weeks Wellness Wednesday is brought to you by Lisa Abner from the GIS Department , county Government and a member of the Employee Wellness Committee.

Lisa has suggested a few tips to follow this fall festive month. 

Halloween season is here!  That means it's time to set out those autumn decorations, play some scary music, watch a horror movie, take in some haunted houses or corn mazes, and visit the pumpkin patch to find that perfect specimen for your jack-o-lantern.  And then of course, there's always my favorite part:  awaiting the costumed trick-or-treaters and handing out Halloween candy! 

But if your house is anything like mine, the Halloween “trick or treat bowl” is filled, emptied, and re-filled again long before trick-or-treaters ever set foot on the front porch.  What does this mean for our waistlines?  Nothing good.

Here are a few tips for keeping Halloween healthier: My opinion...

• Fill up before heading out:  Having a stomach full of a well-balanced meal before trick-or-treating may lessen kids' “eyes being bigger than the stomach” approach to en-route treat gobbling.

• Pack a smaller bag:  Giving children a smaller collection bag ensures that it will be filled sooner, and they may feel satisfied with having fewer treats and a fuller bag at the end of the evening.

• Set a limit:  Set a reasonable amount of candy (3 to 5 fun-size candy bars, depending on age) that kids may eat per evening.  This prolongs the time that Halloween candy may be enjoyed, and prevents the dreaded “sugar rush,” especially close to bedtime.

• Out of sight, out of mind:  People typically don't remember to eat something if they can't see it sitting on the kitchen table.  “Hide” candy in an out-of-sight location rather than in full view to prevent “drive by snacking” throughout the day.  This is also an effective way to keep yourself out of the Halloween candy before the official trick-or-treat night.

• Try an alternative:  Thanks to online party stores like Oriental Trading, people can choose to pass out toys instead of candy at Halloween.  Check out www.orientaltrading.com for fun and affordable Halloween toys like glow sticks, squeaky jack-o-lanterns, bubble bottles, ghostly slide whistles, and sticky hands.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!