Tricks and treats

Two-year-old Lucas Reynolds (as Buzz Lightyear) -- with a litle help from his mother, Amanda -- lifts his pumpkin to receive candy from a Sikeston High School student Monday during a trunk-or-treat sponsored by Skills USA at the Sikeston Field House. Little trick-or-treaters received candy from a number of Sikeston students dressed in themed costumes.
(Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

leonnah@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- When it comes to choosing which treats to hand out on Halloween night, consumers may not realize some candy is better for the teeth than others.

According to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American consumes almost 26 pounds of candy each year, a large percentage of it around Halloween. This year, the National Retail Federation said they expect Halloween candy sales to reach a record $2.3 billion, most of which will go to filling the sacks of an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters ages 5 to 14.

"Some candies are higher in high-fructose corn syrup than others," said Beverly Self, dental assistant at Boyce Dentistry in Sikeston. "... Milk chocolate is higher in high-fructose corn syrup."

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