Halloween is near….and so is the candy!
Between treats at school, halloween parties and trick-or-treating…the sugar (and fun) is everywhere!
And I think all parents can agree that nothing this halloween season is spookier than kids with too much sugar and too little sleep…am I right? (wink face emoji)
So how do you tackle the topic of Halloween candy?
Is it a one night free-for-all? Do you restrict candy intake? Are you into the “Switch Witch” candy tradeoff where your kids trade their candy for a toy?
Whatever you decide to do is the right answer because hey, you’re the parent after all and if nobody has reminded you lately, you make the rules!
For those looking for some expert advice, FamilyMade sat down with Pediatrician Dr. Mona, the host of The PedsDocTalk Podcast and a mother of two to pick her brain on the topic.
How much candy is too much for your kids?
“We know it's probably too much if it makes our kiddo's tummies hurt or if they have a candy obsession and tantrums ensue when candy isn't available. It's important for us to also look at Halloween as a day where candy is part of the equation so a parent is entitled to make exceptions on this holiday.”
Should you be worried if your child has had too much sugar?
“Different people can be impacted by sugar in different ways, but likely the high-energy rush you may see in your child on Halloween is from all the excitement and energy of the day than sugar! If you feel they had too much sugar, our bodies will metabolize that. Keep them hydrated as usual and try to follow their routine and sleep schedule.”
Is being too restrictive with candy detrimental to your child?
“I think we can teach kids about food choices and anti-diet culture by normalizing candy during Halloween. We don't need to put candy on this pedestal and remove candy completely from their diet. Why? because when they do get access to it they may not know how to moderate. We also don't want to label foods as "good" or "bad" because truly candy and sweets are a part of our life and teaching kids moderation with all foods is best. Being too restrictive can backfire in the long run.”
How can you teach your children moderation in a healthy way?
“An option parents can do is place the candy in a secure location and tell the kids they can have a candy every day with their dinner (not as a reward for eating dinner or a replacement) but simply presented with their meal. This puts the candy on a level playing field with other foods. The night of Halloween, a parent can decide which candies are appropriate based on any allergies or choking hazards and can allow the child to choose a few pieces they want to enjoy that day.”
Should you try a "Switch Witch" option where your kids trade their candy for a toy?
“This is a great option if we feel the child may not be able to have control with above-mentioned methods or if tantrums are likely.”
