Author: Ryleigh Scott (BNC Dietetic Intern)
Halloween – the candy holiday. It can be tricky navigating the sugar season for kids with diabetes, but save your fear for the haunted houses! With a little help from pediatric dietitians, kids can learn to make smart choices while still enjoying all the fun. By planning ahead and finding balance, diabetic kids can have a sweet holiday.
Tips for a Safe Halloween for Kids with Diabetes from Pediatric Dietitian Nutritionists
Can Diabetic Kids Still Go Trick-or-Treating?
Absolutely, and we encourage it! The key to trick-or-treating with diabetes is finding ways to align your candy intake with your personal carbohydrate intake guidelines. This may include knowing the number of carbohydrates in the candy you’re going to eat, adjusting insulin levels, and monitoring blood sugars. The point is, that candy can still be a part of your child’s Halloween – just have a plan so that it’s eaten in moderation.
Candy-Alternatives for Children with Diabetes
There is much more to Halloween than the mountains of candy. Alternative candy treats for trick-or-treaters continue to become more and more popular, and handing out items like stickers, small toys, or pencils is one way to make trick-or-treating a little more inclusive for kids with diabetes. Ever heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project? On Halloween, a teal pumpkin on a doorstep indicates that that particular house hands out non-food treats, so maybe this Halloween, you go on a teal pumpkin scavenger hunt!
Timing Treats to Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Another dietitian-approved tip for diabetic trick-or-treaters: don’t go out on an empty stomach. Encourage kids to eat a well-balanced meal before going out for all the fun. Not only will this help regulate appetite, but it can also help to slow the effect of any fast-acting carbohydrates, like candy, and prevent blood sugars from dropping.
The sweet, sweet taste of Halloween! Diabetes can pose some stress for kids during the spooky season, but taking the time to plan ahead and take extra care can make it easier for diabetic kids to continue to participate in the Halloween festivities.
For more information on managing your child’s diabetes, schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric dietitians, Casey Daroga.
Outpatient pediatric diabetes nutrition counseling with online and in-person appointments at Branz Nutrition Counseling.
