We are fast approaching my kids’ absolute favorite holiday. It may be the fact that they get to wear costumes and make up and stay out way past their bedtime, but I’m sure it has a lot more to do with the candy. And with each passing year, our kids get older and can carry bigger bags, and stay out later (and not to mention race between houses a lot faster), so our candy supply is huge.
But what do we do with it all?
First off, there is no switch witch that visits when the kids go to bed. Unless there is a food allergy in the house or a medical condition that warrants it, I don’t believe it sends a good message about healthy eating habits. And also, I have to impose some limit as to how many mythical beings can be delivering toys/tooth money/etc. sneakily under trees/pillows/whatever while trying to wait for the kids to go to bed. I am not a night owl and that part of parenting is hard. If you missed it, this was a great article a few days ago about problems with a “switch witch.”
Second, we don’t put a limit on what type/how much candy they can eat on Halloween. You want to stuff your face with a Nerds/Snickers/Candy Corn cocktail? Go nuts. You will quickly learn cause and effect of what too much sugar makes you feel like. And that’s part of growing up—we’ve all been there (and sometimes continue to be).
That being said, I feed the kids a big protein and veggie filled meal before we go out trick or treating. The combo of protein and fiber serves two purposes: 1) it keeps our blood sugar steady, which will certainly be needed later on in the evening and 2) it’s satiating and keeps you fuller, longer. Some meal favorites on this night for us are pork chops with applesauce and green beans or sausages and roast broccoli.
As I mentioned, we don’t impose a limit on the amount of candy they can eat while trick or treating, but after we get home, we put it away and then go back to our regular mealtime routine of having dessert some nights but not all the time. And if it happens to be a dessert night, they can pick one or two pieces from their Halloween bag. I find that after a few weeks, their desire for it tapers off (especially if I mix in a homemade cookie or ice cream for dessert one night) and we usually end up throwing the rest out and they don’t notice. That is of course after my husband and I poach all the good stuff.
Happy Halloween everyone!
