Therrien, Klimis-Zacas Tell BDN Moderation is Key for Halloween Candy

Mona Therrien, a registered dietitian and faculty member in the University of Maine’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, and Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, a clinical nutritionist and UMaine professor, spoke with the Bangor Daily News for an article about Halloween candy. Therrien said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, but moderation is key. A parent herself, she also gave parental and nutritional advice for Halloween night. Klimis-Zacas agreed that all food can be enjoyed occasionally, but overindulgence is the problem. She warned to “think before you eat,” and added that high-sugar and high-fat foods increase inflammation, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease if it becomes chronic.