Halloween tips for people with diabetes

Just because Halloween is synonymous with sugary treats doesn’t mean children and adults living with diabetes can’t celebrate in some ghoulish fun. Here are some tips to help you and your loved ones celebrate Halloween without sending blood sugar levels out of whack.

Article Highlights

• Children and adults with diabetes can enjoy Halloween with a little planning.

• Learn how to manage Halloween candy and count carbohydrates.

• Prevent activity-related blood glucose lows while trick-or-treating.

• Discover diabetes-friendly Halloween party snacks and treats.

• Keep Halloween fun with costumes, games and non-food activities.

Should I let my child go trick or treating if they have diabetes?

Yes, with some planning, children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can partake in the fun of trick-or-treating along with their friends and siblings. In fact, diabetes should never affect children from having regular childhood experiences.

How do I manage the stash of treats that come home?

First off, be sure to store candies purchased for handing out on Halloween night out of sight, to avoid temptation before the big day. Once trick-or-treating is completed and you’ve looked through your child’s bag of goodies to remove potential hazards (e.g., open or tampered treats), here are some tips to help limit a sugar rush:

• Have children wait to get home before dipping into their loot bag. Send along a healthy snack so they’re not tempted.
• Once home, help your child pick a few favorite candies to keep (store the extra out of sight or share it with others), and then work them into the week’s meal plan by counting the carbohydrates. Allow them to eat some candy Halloween night, before putting the “chosen” ones away.
• Offer your child some non-sugary treats (e.g., supplies for school, small toys or themed stickers) in exchange for candy. Or have them “sell back” their candy for money or non-food items.
• Make a schedule for when your children can indulge in a Halloween treat (e.g., once or twice a week). Moderation is good for the whole family, so have everyone follow the same schedule.
• Teach older children how to cover extra carbs from their Halloween treats with the appropriate amount of extra insulin.
• Let children enjoy their sweet treats with or immediately after a meal which may help reduce the impact on their blood sugar levels.
• Donating extra candy to a local hospital or local charity can also feel rewarding for the whole family.

Keep in mind that all that walking while trick-or-treating can affect a child’s blood sugar levels too. Here are some things you can do to be prepared:

• Bring a blood glucose meter (or a CGM, if applicable).

• Carry fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets or juice, to treat a low.

• Follow your child’s individualized plan for monitoring and treating low blood glucose, including during prolonged activity.

What are some suggestions if I’m entertaining at home?

The good thing about throwing a Halloween party yourself is that you can always ensure there are plenty of healthy options to counter the sugary ones. Offer a variety of foods, including protein- and fibre-containing choices. Some options include bowls of nuts, cut up vegetables with hummus or bean dips, whole-grain crackers, fibre-rich fruits, lean meats or even mugs of pumpkin soup. Here are more appetizer ideas. And for a fun Halloween-themed treat try these No-Bake Halloween Spider Energy Balls or these Frozen Halloween Banana Ghost Pops.

To limit the focus on food, put extra effort into decorating your house or yard. Host a costume party and offer prizes. Have children and other guests carve pumpkins or make Halloween crafts. Or have someone dedicated to face-painting or leading fun activities such as a Halloween-inspired scavenger hunt.

It’s always better to focus on the friends and family who are celebrating together, rather than what you can or cannot eat.

If you’re heading to a party on Halloween night where the buffet may tempt you, eat a healthy meal at home with protein and fibre to keep your blood sugar steady and your stomach full. If you need to sample the food, opt for the complex carbs that will give you more lasting energy and take longer to break down in your system (e.g., whole-grain crackers, healthy dips and fibre-rich vegetables and fruits). Be sure to go easy on the alcohol too which can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Alcohol can cause delayed hypoglycemia in some people, especially those taking insulin or certain glucose-lowering medications.

Carb counts for common Halloween treats

Curious about the number of carbohydrates, fat and calories in Halloween treats? Here are some common ones:

• Hershey’s kisses (3 pieces): 67 calories, 4 grams fat, 8.3 grams carbs
• Kit Kat (12g mini size): 60 calories, 3 grams fat, 8 grams carbs
• M&Ms (plain, mini size): 73 calories, 3.3 grams fat, 10.6 grams carbs (with peanuts that’s 90 calories, 5 grams fat, 10.5 grams carbs)
• York Peppermint Patty: (mini): 50 calories, 1 grams fat, 11 grams carbs
• Jolly Rancher (1 piece): 23 calories, 0 grams fat, 5.6 grams carbs
• Snickers (mini): 80 calories, 4 grams fat, 10.5 grams carbs
• Real Fruit Mini Gummies (12g pack): 40 calories, 0 grams fat, 10 grams carbs
• Twizzler’s Licorice (small snack-size bag): 50 calories, 0 grams fat, 11 grams carbs
• Lay’s Original Potato Chips (16g): 90 calories, 6 grams fat, 9 grams carbs

3 Steps to a Safe and Fun Halloween with Diabetes

With proper planning, children and adults with diabetes can enjoy Halloween too. While sugary treats aren’t off limits completely, remember to indulge in moderation and consume sugary treats with or after a meal instead of as standalone snack. This will go a long way towards helping keep blood sugar levels in check even during this frightfully fun season!