Candy and other treats
Halloween is nearly here and so is the candy. It’s fun to collect on the annual door-to-door pilgrimage trick-or-treaters make and fun to eat. I am however a nutritionist and I did just write a post about the benefits of another October staple, the pumpkin so wanted to give Halloween candy it’s due.
To start, I looked but did not find any nutritional benefits of eating candy, sorry. Since most candy is just concentrated sugar, it’s hard to find one that is “good for you”. That said, candy does have its place in our lives. Sometimes a piece of candy can help you get through the day. I am not going to tell you not to eat it just because it’s nutrition does not measure up to pumpkin or kale. An occasional piece of chocolate or candy, is a great treat and should be enjoyed without guilt. An entire bucket, in the span of a couple of days, for a child or an adult, will lead to nothing good (in the short or long term). A sugar high and the subsequent crash is not pretty or fun for anyone. Enough said.
Candy rules…I mean rules for Halloween candy
The best way to manage all that candy is to have a plan or a set of rules. This works for the families with kids who bring candy home, and those who deal with the left overs from handing it out. Everyone will have a different plan but the basics are universal. First, make a plan, and second, everyone agrees to the plan BEFORE the festivities start. Our family rules are pretty simple:
- No eating candy on the road. (It’s dark and its hard to read and see what you are eating.)
- All candy must be inspected ny an adult before eating.
- Since you have a choice, do not pick candy that no one in the house will eat. (Food waste is food waste even if it’s candy. I would rather leave the candy behind, so others can enjoy it, than throw it out later.)
- Limit of 3 pieces (or 1 full size bar) per day per person to eat. (The candy gets to be enjoyed by the kids over time and we do not have to deal with sugar rush meltdowns.)
- Pick non-food treats if available (more on that later)
Enjoy candy treats safely
Our goals are pretty simple, let the kids have fun, keep them safe and keep our sanity (hard to do with sugar high kids around). We have kids with severe food allergies making rules 1 and 2 are non-negotiable, and frankly life saving. Our kids have a deep understanding of their allergies and by now are very used their impact on their food choices. We want them to have fun. At the same time epinephrine injections and ER visits are not on anyones “fun” list, so they let us inspect and read every label before eating without complaint. The older one can read his own labels, the little one just asks “Is this safe?”
Rule 3 also supports the first two. Do not pick candy you cannot (or prefer not to) eat because than someone else may have to eat it or throw it out. Our youngest is very comfortable asking “Is there any candy without nuts? I am allergic.” She came up with it on her own. She also never fails to get a positive response. People who participate in the trick-or-treat traditions want to the kids to have fun safetly. It never hurts to be polite and ask if you have a need. If there is no choice helping kids learn, that it is okay to take nothing, is important too. Even so so candy strats calling your name if it sits around the house so deny it entry.
Make the treats enjoyable
After the candy is collected it’s time to manage the sugar rush. There are many methods. We like the “make it last” method and encourage our kids to limit how many pieces they eat each day. The candy lasts them a long time. In some instances they still have some when October rolls around again. (Yes, it’s probably stale but it is safe to eat and I am not eating it.) I cannot promise the same results for everyone but it helps minimize the sugar crash tantrums.
Of course, candy is not the only thing you can treat kids with. That is where rule 5 comes in. Non-food items are a great trick or treat option especially for little kids with food allergies. They get to have the same fun without worry that it will make them sick. Little kids love “fun” stuff as much as they love candy so having a different option will make them just as happy.
Teal Pumpkin Project – less candy, plenty of treats
Teal Pumpkin Project is one initiative that supports this effort. This year when you are getting ready for Halloween consider buying some non-food items to go with the candy. You can pick up stickers, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, erasers and little toys at discount and dollar stores for less than the price of some candy. Put them in a separate bowl next to the candy and place a sign advertising their presence.
The kids, and their parents, will be thrilled to be able to partake in, not just observe, this fun tradition. You can learn more about Teal Pumpkin Project, get inspired and find resources at https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project
I hope you enjoy the fall season, Halloween and beyond.
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