Halloween Sweets: Trick or Treat?

It’s that time of year again: the season for costumes, scary movies, and lots of candy. With so many children eagerly anticipating all the fun Halloween brings, it can be tough to crack down on their sugar intake. But according to the American Heart Association, children should have no more than 16 grams of added sugar per day—or about 1½  fun-sized candy bars.

Sugar-Free Fun

Weight gain, hypertension, and difficulty focusing are just some of the problems that can come from children consuming excessive amounts of sugar. Children with allergies can also find it hard to stay symptom-free during the spooky season. To limit the amount of sugar in kids’ hands this year, instead of buying that extra bag of candy, consider giving away some of the following:

• Glow sticks

• Snap bracelets

• Stickers

• Pencils

• Activity books

• Bubbles

• Halloween accessories

If you’re throwing a Halloween party, consider focusing more on fun activities rather than food and sugar. This way, all kids—even those with allergies—can be included, and you don’t have to add to the inevitable additional sugar they’ll get this time of year.

Hard Candy Halloween

Perhaps for good reason, the day after Halloween is the start of American Diabetes Month. Each November, this observance helps spread awareness of ways to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. With rates of type 2 diabetes rising, it’s important to be aware of how you can regulate the sweets kids consume.

Healthy Holidays

During the holidays, it’s more important than ever to ensure your children have access to healthy snacks at home. Offer them fruit for a sweet treat, and be sure to provide healthy, well-rounded meals. Encourage children to be active whenever possible; you can start a midday dance party, go for a walk or bike ride together, or play active video games instead of sedentary ones. Before heading out, make sure you’re able to check off these ten Halloween safety items!

With these simple steps, you can prevent Halloween sweets from being a trick instead of a treat! Worried about your child’s intake of sugar or overall health? Make an appointment with one of the doctors at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group today.

Sources:
6 Keys to a Safe, Allergy-Free Halloween
Halloween's Impact on Kids' Health
Tips for Keeping Halloween Safe and Fun