Trick or Treat?
Halloween has to be the closest thing there is to letting your child run loose in a candy store. That thought is enough to spook any parent. But for those with children who have diabetes the annual neighbourhood candy harvest poses additional challenges. You could try holding a Halloween party and get your child to bob for apples but what kid wants to be left out when their friends go trick or treating?
"Proper planning is really the key to making sure that Halloween is as fun a holiday for kids with diabetes as it is for all children" says Margie Lawlor coordinator of pediatric research and education at the Joslin Diabetes Center.
Count the carbs
It remains a popular misconception that sugar is completely off limits for children with diabetes. In fact most people with diabetes can eat foods containing sugar as long as they do not exceed the total amount of carbohydrates recommended by their healthcare team. The key is to count the carbs include it in the child's daily meal plan and adjust their insulin when necessary.
Halloween treats often come in small "fun sizes" but don't be fooled. The amount of carbohydrate in similarly sized packages can range from 10 to more than 40 grams. To help you plan ahead the following popular Halloween treats each have approximately 15 grams of carbohydrate:
- 4 Starbursts
- 1/2 stick Twix
- 2 sticks Kit Kat
- 30 Reese's Pieces
- 1/2 pack of M&M's plain or peanut
- 1 piece of Fruit-by-the-Foot
- 3 Tootsie Rolls (small)
- 6 Junior Mints
- 15 Skittles
- 2 Jolly Ranchers
Always check the label yourself before allowing your child to indulge in sweets. Take note of the fat content as well as the carbohydrates. Fat slows down the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream. Candies with no fat such as gummy bears and jelly beans can cause glucose levels to peak rapidly. Put some of these in strategic locations around your home even in the car's glove compartment where they can be used to treat reactions.
Be Creative
Remember moderation is important. Even if your child were not diabetic you probably wouldn't allow him or her to eat too much candy at one sitting. Depending on your child's age you might want to take steps to ensure the stash is safely out of reach. If your child is older allow some choices and control over the situation to reduce any feelings of resentment. Some parents have resorted to tricks of their own to reduce the number of treats. Try offering to buy some of the candy from your child. They can then use the money to go to a movie or buy books or toys. And you'll be rewarded with a few Halloween treats of your own!
Written by Dr. Art Hister
Tuesday, 28 October 2008 03:18
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