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Doctors think it’s possible to have a fun holiday while keeping kids’ health under control
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For those celebrating Halloween, it’s time to embrace scares, scary stories, and creative costumes. However, it’s important for parents to remember that this is also the time of year when kids can easily get plenty of sugary foods. This can get a little complicated if your child has diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels, according to medical experts.
Dr Sherif El-Refee, Consultant Paediatrician in Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Dr Amani Osman, Consultant Paediatric Diabetes Specialist, doctor from Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Clinical Head of Paediatric Services, Consultant Paediatrician in Endocrinology and Diabetes, have some advice for families on how to manage their diabetes these days.
Both doctors agreed that it was possible to have a fun holiday Halloween while keeping blood sugar levels under control.
1. Don’t be fooled during treatment
A big part of managing diabetes is maintaining stable blood sugar levels. While it’s perfectly fine to eat a sugary snack once in a while, overdoing it can disrupt your blood sugar levels.
“Finding a good balance of controlling overconsumption is key. Before trick-or-treating, it’s a good idea to feed your child some complex carbohydrates, such as fruit or whole-grain snacks,” says Dr. El-Refee.
“That way, there’s less urge to snack or go door-to-door at a time. Accompany toddlers while they’re trick-or-treating to help avoid overconsumption. If you have teenagers or older children, please Talk to them directly to understand why they need to monitor their consumption levels.”
2. Involve children in managing their own health
It’s important for your child to feel included and participate in any celebration, and there are some techniques parents can use to help control the level of excitement, especially during celebrations like Halloween.
“Adolescents with diabetes often tend to consciously manage their health and consume sugar in moderation. However, during events like Halloween, it’s hard not to get carried away by the celebrations and rituals that other kids participate in,” Dr. El-Refee Say.
“Having an honest conversation with them and setting expectations early on is a great way to remind them of certain boundaries and limitations. Checking their blood sugar levels before and after the event is also a great way to monitor and predict any red flags that may arise after the celebration is over. .”
3. One is better than none
Moderation is very important when it comes to managing diabetes. Even a piece of candy is enough to raise blood sugar levels. However, it is important not to scare your child, but to help them learn the virtues of moderation.
Dr. Amani Osman
“Kids are certainly welcome to enjoy candy and chocolate during Halloween. However, it’s important to understand how much of the night’s bounty they consume at a particular time,” said Dr. Armani.
“When your kids come home, make sure you sit with them and browse through the treats they’ve collected. Get excited about their win, keep them happy, and start talking about how to allocate candy consumption. It can turn into a A game that rewards them for completing their homework or cleaning the room.”
“Store candy in a safe place so you can see how much you’re consuming, but also take the opportunity to teach your kids to be responsible for their own health.”
4. Find delicious alternatives to sugary candies
“If you’re celebrating Halloween at home, think about candy substitutes,” says Dr. Armani.
“The treat can come in any shape or form. You might consider a mix of dried fruit as a healthier alternative to a chocolate bar. Baked apples or rice cakes are also good options.”
“You can also replace candy with party favors like bubble wands, mini puzzles, glow sticks, or stickers. Get creative and decorate these treats with festive colors to give them a Halloween vibe,” says Dr. Armani.
5. Encourage the exchange of candy for other pleasures
“If you have kids with diabetes, have them swap the candy for something else they like. It could be a movie ticket, a trip to the zoo, a new toy or a trip to a theme park,” Dr. Sherif added. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Remember, the most important aspect of Halloween is for kids to have fun in a safe and responsible way. Find collective and innovative ways to spend quality time together without worrying about sweets or diabetes.
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