SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- They may be small pieces, but when counted all together, they could add up to more calories than meets the eye.  Did you know that an average Jack-O-Lantern bucket carries about 250 pieces of candy amounting about 9,000 calories and about three pounds of sugar?  The reality is, however, kids don't take home just one bucket of candy on Halloween night.  They bring in pillow cases of sweets, many of which are eaten that night. To curb this excess, the California Milk Processor Board - the creator of GOT MILK? - encourages families to make healthier choices and to consider chocolate milk as the treat of choice this Halloween.  As a matter of fact, it has partnered with several organizations throughout California and is sponsoring a GOT MILK? Chocolate Milk Giveaway in cities like Burbank, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego during their Halloween celebrations.

"We want to be a part of an environment where kids can trick or treat safely with other families in their community and promote healthier treat options for families," says Steve James, executive director of the California Milk Processor Board.  "Chocolate milk is a great treat because it has the chocolate that's closely associated with Halloween but still has all the protein and nutrients that kids need for strong bones, muscles, teeth, hair and nails."

To celebrate a healthy and safe holiday, trick or treat with GOT MILK? at the following Halloween celebrations for free chocolate milk, GOT MILK? swag items and entertainment for the entire family:

To ensure a healthy Halloween, GOT MILK? recommends the following tips for families:

1. Dinner First.  Before trick-or-treating, give children a nutritious dinner with vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods topped off with a glass of low fat or nonfat milk. Having a healthy dinner will reduce children's appetites for sweets.  
2. GOT CHOCOLATE MILK? Serving chocolate milk after trick-or-treating is a great, healthy treat.  It has calcium, vitamins and other nutrients necessary for growing children. Plus, it doesn't deprive kids of the chocolate that's associated with Halloween.
3. Non-Food Treats. Consider handing out school supplies like pencils and erasers to school age children, as they will come in handy for class. Small toys are also appropriate in reducing the amount of candy children eat during Halloween.  
4. Power Trick-or-Treat.  Make sure children get enough physical activity to burn off excess sugar and fat.  Trick-or-treating can be a fun way to incorporate walking and exercise.  Plan a few extra loops around the neighborhood.  This process can tire out kids and prepare them to hit the sack when they get home.
5. Set Limits.  Set boundaries with your child on how many pieces of candy they're allowed to eat on Halloween and while trick-or-treating.   Allow your children to make their own selections, but tell them they can only pick a few pieces.  

Healthy eating habits are especially important among children because according to a study in the September 2009 issue of Academic Pediatrics, severe childhood obesity in the United States has tripled in the last 25 years(1) putting children at risk for health problems.  Based on the latest research, there are about 71 million children in the nation ages two to 19 that are obese, of which 2.7 million are considered severely obese, based on the same study.(2)

For more tips on how to celebrate a healthy Halloween, visit www.gotmilk.com.  

About the CMPB

The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California.  Awareness of GOT MILK? is over 90 percent nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history.  GOT MILK? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995.  The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk).  The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, following a growing trend in Hispanic food advertising that uses wit and humor to reach audiences.  GOT MILK? gifts and recipes can be viewed at www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com.  The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

(1) Skelton, Joseph A., MD; Stephen R. Cook, MD, MPH; Peggy Auinger, MS; Jonathan D. Klein, MD, MPH; and Sarah E. Barlow, MD, MPH. "Prevalence and Trends of Severe Obesity Among US Children and Adolescents." Academic Pediatrics 9.5 (2009): 322-29. Print.

http://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(09)00109-0/abstract

(2) "Obesity Expert at Brenner Children's Hospital Says Rates of Severe Childhood Obesity have Tripled." Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. 27 July 2009. Web.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board