O Halloween, the very mention of the word gives me a serious case of the hyperglycemia, wait let me check my levels just to be sure. Seriously this is absolutely the holiday that is geared towards diabetics, but even if you dread it as much as I do, there are some simple tricks and treats that you can use to survive the ghouls and come out better on the other side..

Re as any kid loves to go trick n treating during Halloween and although he is not diabetic Yet, this holiday poses a challenge for me because it kinda throws a wrench into our vaccinating against diabetes thing.

While I do not want to deny him the fun of dressing up in his favorite costume, I think we will do a star wars theme this year and going trick n treating, my biggest concern is always what to do with all that candy.

For an adult moderation is always the key and self control a viable option, but for a kid especially my son I have found it is a fight to get him to understand the value of moderation and to me I want this to be a life lesson that he can draw on again and again.

I will follow this from both a diabetic’s perspective and as a parent’s perspective, some of these might overlap so bare with me.

As a diabetic

1. As a diabetic Halloween does not have to be a harrowing experience the first thing to remember is moderation, a piece of candy will not kill you.
2. If you have been suppressing your sweet tooth, this is not an excuse to splurge
3. Just because you are Diabetic does not mean you cant get candy for the kids who come a knocking
4. This is the perfect chance to educate the neighborhood kids about diabetes and why you don’t eat sugar. Throw a Halloween party for the kids before or after they go trick or treating or even at the local school where the kids attend.
5. Don’t give the kids candy alternatives just coz you want nothing to do with sugar you will just end up being the weird guy on the block.
6. Remove temptation by making sure you give away all the candy and buy just enough, do not keep a surplus.
7. Choose trick and make it a fun trick so the kids enjoy it.
8. Use your imagination its all about fun anyway.
9. If you are invited to a Halloween party, use the same principles you use when going to any other party

• Eat and drink less
• Concentrate on dancing, it will burn calories
• Bring a dish that’s healthy
• Let your hosts know that you are diabetic and what it entails
• Remember to have fun
• Avoid temptation by not hovering on the food area

As a parent

1. Make sure it is a fun experience, Halloween is not just about the candy, it is also about the costumes and the experience of being together with the other kids.
2. Do not forbid your child to attend events just because they are diabetic.
3. Get Involved in the Halloween festivities in your neighborhood, its all about the experience anyway
4. Keep a sharp eye on your child even if you are letting them join in doesn’t mean they would not be tempted to sneak a piece
5. Teach your kids some charity lessons for all the candy collected, just because they collected the candy doesn’t mean you just toss them. Having them give it to a charity like the food bank or the kids who couldn’t get any is a valuable life lesson.
6. Remove the temptations buy removing all the collected candy
7. Use your imagination, Halloween does not have to be expensive, homemade costumes are just as if not more satisfying
8. An education opportunity this is for the neighborhood kids and your child’s friends and parents
9. Go join in the fun it is a great time to share some quality moments with your kids and the exercise will do your body some good
10. Make sure your kids don’t eat anything until you inspect it first.

Remember Halloween is meant to be a frighteningly good time so go out and be devilishly naughty why don’t ya.