Shape Your Future Encourages Healthier Halloween Habits for Oklahoma Families
Don’t be tricked into unhealthy habits this year!
OKLAHOMA CITY — As Oklahomans gear up for Halloween, Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is here to help families enjoy the holiday with fun snacks and healthy tips. Halloween often leads to a surplus of sugary treats, but making mindful choices in advance can help families enjoy a balanced and healthier celebration.
“While Halloween is a time of excitement and fun, we want to encourage Oklahomans to celebrate in ways that support long-term health,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “Finding creative ways to enjoy the holiday without overloading on sugar can help families feel better and keep the energy going during a fun evening of trick-or-treating, games and other Halloween festivities.”
According to the American Heart Association, women should not consume more than six teaspoons of added sugar a day while men should not consume more than nine. Based on the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should aim to keep their children just under six teaspoons of sugar each day. On average, children consume about three cups of sugar on Halloween. Taking steps to reduce excess added sugar consumption for the whole family is key to a healthier holiday.
Visit ShapeYourFutureOK.com for these ideas for a healthier Halloween:
Veggie Monster Cups: Turn raw veggies into fun Halloween characters with this easy and fun craft.
Pumpkin Pie Hummus: Apple slices with pumpkin pie hummus make the perfect sweet snack for kids and adults to enjoy.
Halloween Snack Board: Use clementine oranges, carrots, pretzels and string cheese sticks for a healthy snack that's still festive.
Active Halloween Scavenger Hunts: Play a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt that gets kids moving while they search for spooky decorations and costumes in the neighborhood.
Families can also use Halloween to create new traditions that combine movement with quality time. Whether it’s taking a spooky walk, dancing to a Halloween playlist or hosting a party featuring healthy and tasty treats, there are countless ways to make this season fun and memorable for everyone.
For more healthy Halloween resources and tips, visit ShapeYourFutureOK.com.
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Shape Your Future is a community health education intervention that encourages Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. Shape Your Future strives to educate parents, teachers, caregivers and all Oklahomans on how to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Find more information online at ShapeYourFutureOK.com.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health