The candy conundrum

Let’s face it. Halloween is the day that parents turn into monsters.

Why? Because you don’t want your kids to eat that whole pillowcase of goodies they will come home with after a successful night of trick-or-treating.

Don’t fear. You can successfully grab those Milky Ways and Milk Duds, Reeses and Rolos, lollipops and licorice out of their grasp -- and maybe help others at the same time.

There are some strategies parents can take to limit the candy consumption and use the holiday to talk to kids about healthy eating. But how? Here are some great ideas shared by the people at the Today show.

• Let the kids have a few pieces and then play a game. Leave the candy out and see what the friendly ghosts who enter in the night leave in its place. How about some colored pencils for the art lover or a book for the preschooler who just loves to read with Mom? For your older kids, just tell them you’ll trade it for a small gift card.
  
• Ration it. Give the kids a piece or two a day for the first week of November, and take a few pieces out of their stash each day. Soon, they’ll see they are out of candy.
  
• Donate it to nursing homes or senior centers. The residents, or their visitors, might enjoy a little sweet treat.
  
• Save it as a start on filling that pinata for your child’s next birthday party.
  
• Put it away and forget it. Out of sight with easily distracted kids? Out of mind.
  

And while you’re in the Halloween spirit, just this down and remind yourself next summer to get started on this: donating your candy to the troops. It’s a mission the kids would love to help you organize in your neighborhood. Check out the Operation Gratitude website for your inspiration.