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Let kids indulge on Halloween, unless they're diabetic or have food allergies Date published: 10/21/2007
I'VE ALWAYS been a pro-candy dietitian. This Halloween, though, I'm making some changes. Never fear, neighborhood children, I will not be torturing you with healthy treats like packets of oatmeal. Nor am I recommending that people stop doling out candy. But I am mixing some toys in among the candy bars. I'm adding toys in honor of my neighbors who have diabetes, food allergies, or who, gosh darn it, just like toys. I also have some ideas for parents who are concerned about their child's weight or other health problems, or who wonder just how much Halloween candy they should let their children eat. But first, the toys. Trick-or-ToysAdding toys to the treat bowl is a big change for me, as I am an admitted chocoholic. I have always bought loads of the gooey stuff to give out to children for Halloween--and later happily eaten the leftover chocolates. But recently, I read that when trick-or-treaters got to choose from two plates--one of candy and one of toys--half the children chose toys. And I aim to please. So, I went to my local craft and dollar stores, which offer lots of fun, relatively inexpensive things such as whistles, bouncing balls, glittery pencils, colorful stickers, crayons, and temporary tattoos of pirates and witches. I'll still buy some chocolate, too, and let the children choose. To eat or not to eatEvery year, parents wrestle with the perennial question: How much should I let my kids eat? If your child doesn't have food allergies or diabetes, I say, let 'er rip! On Halloween night, allow the kids to eat as much as they want. If they eat themselves sick, they'll learn a valuable lesson about the consequences of over-eating. And one night of excess calories won't cause any lasting damage. (In the days afterward, giving kids a couple of pieces after meals can be a good option.) For children who have diabetes or food allergies, however, unbridled access to the candy could be dangerous. As always, parents need to help children with diabetes count carbohydrates. They can work small amounts of candy into meal plans that day. With food allergies, parents can help children read labels to make sure the candy doesn't contain peanuts or whatever they're allergic to. Unfortunately, most chocolate is contaminated because most chocolate factories also process nuts. Candy buy-backs
Date published: 10/21/2007
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