Nutritionist with Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (
Post# of 65
Another Halloween is rapidly approaching, and for kids around the country that can only mean one thing: candy! Sugary treats are a staple of everyone’s favorite October holiday, but trick or treating can be a nightmare for parents of children with dietary restrictions. According to Food Allergy Research & Education, food allergies affect approximately one in 13 children in the United States, representing an increase of more than 50 percent since 1997. Meanwhile, ingredients commonly found in Halloween candies – including milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat – account for nearly 90 percent of all reactions, making trick or treating a serious health concern for many parents across the nation.
While these allergies are a major concern for parents, the truth is that an overactive sweet tooth can have negative health implications for everyone. Tara Zamani, M.S., C.N.S., a clinical nutritionist with Content Checked Holdings, Inc., outlined these concerns in a recent article by The Active Times – a leading source of content related to endurance sports, travel and adventure that reaches just under 246,000 unique monthly visitors.
“It’s important to keep candy consumption in moderation and to remember that there are always healthier alternatives to your favorite candies,” she said. “Keep in mind that too much sugar consumption is directly linked to weight gain, ADD, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and poor digestion and immune system function as it wreaks havoc on the blood sugar and creates an unhealthy microflora environment in the gut.”
Sorting through children’s trick or treat bounty is an essential step to avoiding these health concerns, but stocking your home with healthier alternatives to traditional candies is a great way to promote better eating habits year-round. In the article by The Active Times, Zamani provided a few examples of some of the unhealthiest Halloween candy, as well as some similar alternatives made with higher-quality, healthier ingredients. Treats from some of the world’s largest candy and cookie producers – including Hershey (NYSE: HSY), Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) and Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. (NYSE: TR) – were highlighted as candies that should be enjoyed in extreme moderation.
“When you’re shopping for healthier alternatives check the ingredient list and look for labels that say things like organic, non-GMO, no artificial flavors, no synthetic preservatives and no artificial colors,” Zamani added.
In 2014, the Wall Street Journal reported that millions of Americans were opting for healthier food options, with caloric intake declining and consumers more commonly studying nutritional labels on food at grocery stores. Content Checked, through its innovative suite of nutrition-based mobile apps, is taking this trend to the next level. For consumers with specific dietary requirements and preferences, Content Checked is making shopping easier than ever before, and, as a result, the company is rapidly carving out a sustainable foothold in the country’s ongoing nutrition revolution.
To view the entire article by The Active Times, visit www.theactivetimes.com/fitness/nutrition/worst-halloween-candies-and-alternatives-are-healthier
For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com
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