I always recommend to limit sugar on Halloween as an integrative pediatrician. Despite this, Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. My elementary school in Avon Lake, Ohio, circa 1980, had a big Halloween costume contest each year. One year, I decided early on that I was going to win.
The preparation for my witch costume started months in advance. I spent weeks covertly making long nails using Elmer’s glue in my pencil tray at school. My mother and I made my cape and dress. I made a big green nose out of clay, and on the big day, my mother even put black paint on my teeth. (Super healthy, right?)
Anyways, I did win… it must have been in the homemade costume category (haha!).
Now that our awesome spooky season is upon us, giant bags of candy are everywhere in grocery stores.
Dressing up and trick-or-treating are so much fun, but eating bags full of highly processed and artificial candy can turn Halloween and the following days into a real nightmare (especially for parents and kids struggling with eczema or other inflammatory illnesses).
Today, I want to discuss excess sugar and artificial dyes, along with how to avoid them while still having fun this Halloween.
Excess sugar and artificial dyes can increase inflammation, disrupt the gut microbiome, and weaken the immune system… all of which can result in an uptick of eczema flare-ups.
Regardless of whether or not your child has eczema, this is a must-read for all parents to limit sugar on Halloween!
Limit Sugar on Halloween by Understanding Hidden Names for Sugar
Here are some names food companies use to hide sugar in their products:
Dextrose
Fructose
Galactose
Fruit juice concentrate
Glucose solids
High-fructose corn syrup
Lactose
Maltose
Sucrose
And many others (In fact, there are at least 61 different names for added sugar!)
Artificial Dyes
It’s an unfortunate truth that candy and other “food products” marketed specifically to children in the US can be full of sugar and artificial dyes like FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, and FD&C Yellow #6.
Despite the FDA clearing these dyes for ingestion, many of my patients experience reactions to these ingredients.
To take it a step further, the United Kingdom has required the following warning label on foods with artificial dyes since 2010 (15 years ago!):
“Consumption may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
Talk about scary!
In our practice, we’ve been talking about the negative impact processed sugar, artificial dyes, and preservatives have on our health for decades (this is not rocket science).
While systemic change is long overdue, it seems as though things are finally starting to change in the US as well. Better late than never!
More people are becoming aware of what these “foods” and ingredients are doing to our health, and some companies are beginning to shift away from these ingredients. A great step in the right direction!
Other Ideas to Limit Sugar on Halloween
I know that convincing your child not to dive headfirst into what seems like an endless pit of candy can be a tough sell, so here are some not-so-spooky ways to divert the Halloween fun away from the high sugar, ultra-processed candy.
🎃 Healthy Treat Bags
Pack some Halloween-themed bags with healthier candy options (like the ones in the graphic below), dried fruits, figs, or dates, and swap them for your child’s bag of processed candy.
You can also include things like Halloween-themed glow sticks, bubbles, and stickers. This helps to shift the focus away from the candy altogether.
🎃 Candy Swap Challenge
Encourage your children to trade their candy for small prizes, toys, or even money. A quarter or dime per piece of candy can add up quickly if your child is big on trick-or-treating. However, it might be worth emptying that spare change jar to avoid sugar and artificial dyes.
Several businesses in most cities also have candy swaps. I am sure a quick online search will reveal options in your city!
🎃 Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Hide some healthy, eczema-friendly treats or non-candy surprises around the house or yard.
This can help make the evening more interactive without having to worry about your child being tempted by candies we know aren’t good for them. This is a great option for having a fun, interactive Halloween at home.
Have a happy, healthy, and safe Halloween!
