How to manage sugar overload? On Halloween? Yes, my title is sarcastic
I’m sure there are way better parents out there than me … but I just don’t think managing sugar on Halloween is something that is worth the effort. Sure, I will try to get some non-sugary foods in them before we head out through the neighborhood trick or treating, but beyond that I plan to just let it go. Yes, the end result may be a couple of not fun sugar lows… but for us our plan is to basically have a Halloween candy free for all and try to enjoy the fun of the holiday.
Regarding teeth, I figure you might as well have them load up on all the Halloween sugar in a couple of short bursts and make sure they diligently brush their teeth twice before heading to bed on Halloween night. I also make sure I do my own round of brushing on them with an electric toothbrush the next day, just to make sure those sugary globs get out of all the nooks and crannies.
What about all the leftover Halloween candy?? Even with a major candy scarf fest there is bound to an insane pile of leftover candy. What works for us is this: after the kids go to bed on Halloween I dump out all their loot. I take out all the super sticky candy that I know is especially bad for teeth … things like Laffy Taffy. I basically reduce their pile of candy in half… keeping the favorable candies and making a pile of rejects to send with my sister to work, where grownups evidently gobble it up like it is candy. Oh yeah … I guess it is candy.
The “good” leftover Halloween candies–my favorites are chocolates, Snicker bars, mini Reece’s cups, etc) we keep around for weeks, putting a piece or two as a dessert in their school lunchbox each day, or giving a special treat when they do something especially nice. I do try to always pack a well rounded lunch box for school, but giving a special treat I know puts a smile on their face in the lunchroom (and makes for a good way of getting through all the Halloween treats).
Do you have a real plan of monitoring sugar intake on Halloween … if so feel free to share your wisdom!






