WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Serve children a healthy and nutritious meal before allowing them to go trick-or-treating at Halloween, U.S. confectionery manufacturers advise.
"Your kids will be happier and full, which will help reduce the temptation to eat candy at each trick-or-treat stop," Susan Whiteside of the National Confectioners Association in Washington says in a statement. "Sort and save. Allow your kids to enjoy some of their Halloween bounty on trick-or-treat night. Then work with them to portion out two or three treats into separate small bags to be enjoyed beyond Oct. 31."
Halloween treats are temping so portion control is important. Should adults keep back some treats for themselves or parents succeed in rationing goodies for their trick-or-treaters, there is plenty of time to enjoy treats, Whiteside says.
"Dark chocolate can be kept for one to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time -- between eight to 10 months," she says. "Lollipops, mints and other hard candy can be stored at room temperature in a dry location for up to a year and gumdrops, jellied, and other soft candies kept away from heat and light lasts six to nine months and in unopened packaging, 12 months."
