Halloween + Diabetes = Fun

Halloween is probably my daughter’s favorite time of the year. She starts talking about it in June and doesn’t really quit until closer to Christmas. What kid wouldn’t love getting dressed up as someone or something else and receive free candy? Unfortunately, this kid has Type 1 Diabetes so it’s not quite as simple as that. I’m not sure if she’s more excited to go as a Care Bear, which she decided in January and hasn’t quit talking about it since; socializing with all her fellow trick-or-treaters along the way; or the candy. Now, it’s not like candy is just forbidden, because that’s what insulin is for and we don’t want her to feel like she’s that different from other kids, but we also don’t want her blood sugar levels to skyrocket and get out of control. Mind you, she’s only three, so her little body can only take so much of the blood sugar roller coaster ride.

So, this year I’ve struck a deal with her. She gets to go trick-or-treating and get all the candy her little legs will take her to. But instead of just telling her she can’t have most of it, I’m going to let her choose a few of her favorite pieces, eat them sporadically as dessert over the week, and then let her trade in the rest for a gift. We’ll also use some of it for when she has low sugar spells and need a fast-acting sugar.

Even if you’re child doesn’t have diabetes, but maybe they have a food allergy, or you’re just concerned about the amount of sugar they consume, there are several alternatives to letting them eat all the candy they gather.

• Buy back the candy at a penny, nickel, or dime a piece, so they can purchase what they want
• Trade the candy for a gift or toy
• Regulate when they can actually eat the candy for example, only for dessert after a healthy dinner, or they can have a few pieces once a week, etc.
• Some dentist offices will have a trade-in event
• If your child isn’t really into the trick-or-treating thing anyway, let them hand out the candy or go to a community party instead
• Donate the candy to a worthy cause: there are many charities out there who collect donated candy to send to our troops, use for future non-profit events, or even send to kids around the world who wouldn’t otherwise have access.

Whatever your reasoning, don’t feel like you have to give in to the scary Halloween sugar zombies! Halloween doesn’t have to be about eating the candy, but should be about having fun.