The fear and stigma around sugar is very prevalent in our society today. A lot of us are very aware of what we put in our bodies, which can be beneficial to our health, but can we go too far with limitations, restrictions and an “all or nothing” mind-set? 

I am not saying to eat pounds of sugar everyday, but it should be ok for most of us to have those days where we relax the reigns and enjoy some of our favorite treats. This can also apply to children. Unless they can’t have sugar due to a medical condition, I believe it is important to show kids that with moderation, we can enjoy sugar without feeling guilty and remorseful. When parents have too many rules and restrictions around food, not only are they potentially planting the seed for eating disorders, kids may also become obsessed with the food they are not allowed to have. 

So what are some ways we can enjoy sugar without the "sugar crash" and feeling guilty? Because yes, while I allow myself to be less restrictive with sugar these days, I also know that I have a limit and I don’t feel great if I have too much. And I can only imagine the challenges with managing the blood sugar rollercoaster in kids!

1. Eat sugar with foods containing fat, fiber and protein

A big part of balancing your blood sugar on a regular basis is ensuring you include some protein, fat, and carbohydrates at every meal. Add some fiber in there and all these macronutrients will help slow down digestion to prevent a spike in blood sugar. This is especially important if you are going to be eating more sugar than normal i.e. Halloween.

Halloween Sugar Balance Tip:  Ensure your child/children have a meal or snack with some protein and fat right before they have some candy

2. Everything in moderation 

While children are enjoying their favorite treats this time of year, let’s try to be mindful of how much they are consuming in one sitting. Spread out the Halloween haul throughout the week!

Halloween Sugar Balance Tip: Pair some of their leftover candy with a healthy snack. See our Healthy Halloween Monster Yogurt Bark Recipe here.

3. Eating protein before bed

After a full day of excitement and sugar, your littles might be more wired in the evening. To help stabilize their blood sugar so they have a good sleep, give them a high protein snack 30 minutes to an hour before bed.

Halloween Sugar Balance Tip: Some bedtime snack ideas include Greek yogurt and blueberries or eggs on a piece to toast

4. Balance your blood sugar throughout the day

Try to make sure they are getting enough healthy calories Halloween day. Start with a big breakfast and provide healthy snacks/meals throughout the day. And as mentioned above, try to include some protein, fat, and healthy carbs (and fiber) at each meal. The better their blood sugar is balanced throughout the day, the less likely they are to have a sugar crash that night.

Halloween Sugar Balance Tip: Eating every 3-4 hours is another great way to help balance blood sugar throughout the day.

Lastly, don’t stress! If things don’t go as planned or they eat more sugar than you would have liked them too, there is always a chance to reset and reboot the next day. Enjoy the Halloween experience with your kids and make sure to enjoy some treats too!

All information and tools presented and written within this Article are for educational and Informational purposes only. Any nutrition, lifestyle and product recommendations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before starting any new supplements, diet and exercise program please check with your doctor or practitioner.