Candy is the central focus of the spookiest holiday of the year. In fact, the average American consumes 24 pounds of candy in a year, most of which is eaten right after Halloween, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But for children with diabetes, it can be difficult to enjoy the festivities when all their fellow goblins are in a frenzy to get their hands on mounds of sweet treats.
Marc Wolf, a registered pharmacist and CEO of Diabetic Care Services, says there are plenty of things parents of children with diabetes can do to shift the focus off Halloween candy so the kids can have more fun.
* Choosing which type of candy to pass out is important because there is a good chance you will have leftovers. (If you select the correct type of candy, you can use leftovers to treat lows throughout the year. According to the American Diabetes Association, chocolate and other higher-fat treats do not work well for treating lows. )
* Do not feel you have to deprive your child of all Halloween candy. Instead, allow them to choose a fun size, smaller version of their favorite candy.
* Lots of walking can affect blood glucose levels, so pack a healthy snack that you can rely on to battle lows. This way, you avoid the temptation of dipping into the treat bag for a quick solution if your child’s blood sugar levels begin to drop.
* After trick-or-treat hours are over, sit down with your child and help them choose a few of their favorite pieces of candy they can enjoy throughout the week. To help your child part with the leftover candy, allow them to exchange it for money, a toy or some other special treat (a special dinner, trip to the movies, etc).
* If you do not want to waste the extra candy by throwing it away, go with your child to donate the leftovers to a hospital or senior center. Not only will your child learn healthy habits, they will receive a lesson in sharing.
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