SeeCalifornia.com

Photos at some of the smaller California zoos with their special Boo at the Zoo events showcase the pint-size fun that children can have celebrating Halloween. There are many alternatives to help children enjoy healthy Halloween traditions such as feeding the animals treats at zoos and petting zoos.

The facts & myths about sugar:

While most of us grew up collecting candy in our neighborhoods at Halloween (see some crazy Halloween candies,) children generally got more exercise, weighed less (on average) and were able to gain more vitamins, minerals and nutrients from our food sources.  It’s true that  1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by the year 2050 but should we deprive kids of sugary candy at Halloween?

• The myth that sugar causes diabetes is commonly accepted. Eating sugar has nothing to do with developing type 1 diabetes. Type 1 is caused by genetics and other unknown factors that trigger the disease.
• One of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes is being overweight, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain.
• Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association recommends that people limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes.
• In the past, people with diabetes were told to completely avoid sugar. Experts thought that eating sugar would raise blood glucose levels very high. Research around this issue has shown that while the type of carbohydrate can affect how quickly blood glucose levels rise, the total amount of carbohydrate you eat affects blood glucose levels more than the type.

Here are some tips on checking candy at Halloween for safety concerns.