Halloween and the Diabetic Child: With a holiday dedicated to the giving and receiving of candy we thought it important to look at Halloween through the eyes of a diabetic family. It’s possible some families will consider keeping their diabetic children from participation in Halloween activities. Is this the right approach?

Obviously there will be some differences in how you treat the holiday based on whether your child has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, however we found some great information from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) that may help you keep it fun for your diabetic children while keeping their condition in mind.

• The best part of Halloween is the “dressing up.”  Put extra effort into your child’s costume.  Get the whole family involved.
• Plan a party on Halloween night.  That way, friends and family can get together AND you can plan a healthy menu.
• Go to a Halloween activity in the community such as a haunted house, hayride or bonfire.
• There’s no reason not to allow your child with diabetes to go trick-or-treating.  Just take some age-appropriate measures to ensure her safety (both with diabetes, and in general!).  Younger children should always trick-or-treat with a parent.  Older kids can often go with friends or siblings, depending on where you live.  If you think your older child might need to check his blood glucose while he’s out, remind him before he goes or ask him to wear a cell phone or pager. (His testing supplies may not “wear well” with his costume and you may want to make arrangements to meet him for a quick check en route.)
• Kids with diabetes can have treats. Of course, the rule is moderation with foods high in carbohydrate (including sweets and starches). Suggest that your child select a few favorite treats and trade the rest in for a present or money.
• If your children do eat candy, remember to check the carbohydrate in their meal plan, check their blood glucose and plan for more activity to help counteract any elevated blood glucose levels. Checking blood glucose levels helps to teach the lesson that candy causes elevations in blood glucose. Kids do want to have blood glucose numbers in normal ranges! They feel better!
• A little extra physical activity on Halloween and the following days may allow your child to have some Halloween treats without taking extra insulin. Talk to your doctor, diabetes educator, or dietitian about how to work these treats into her meal plan safely.
• Substitute candy with treats lower in carbohydrate. At home, you can pass out toys and trinkets, like false teeth, superballs, “slime,” necklaces, temporary tattoos, etc. Kids often like these more than candy anyway! Visit your local dime store or go to an online toy vendor to stock up!
• Remember that candy has a long shelf-life. You can keep some of your child’s favorites for him or her to enjoy at other times. Put some in the freezer or refrigerator too.
• Treats low in fat can be used to treat lows throughout the year. Chocolate and other higher-fat treats don’t work well for treating lows, though, as the fat slows the progress of glucose into the blood stream. Stick to hard candies, gum drops, lollipops, and the like. (Source: ADA)

Alternatives will be important in the celebration of Halloween, but the extra effort can keep the holiday fun – and safe – for your diabetic children.