Tricks for diabetic-safe Halloween treats
Tricks for diabetic-safe Halloween treats
Kids can still have fun, despite their diabetes
During Halloween, most parents are concerned about the safety of the treats their kids collect while donning a costume. But for parents of diabetic children, the task becomes exponentially more difficult: How can these kids enjoy their holiday with their friends when there are so many restrictions to their diet?
For the past six years since her daughter Mollie was diagnosed with diabetes, Jackie Singer has volunteered from her Las Vegas home through the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in New York City to help other children with diabetes join in all the fun of childhood. Ten-year-old Mollie has a powerful support team right in her family unit — her twin sister, Jackie, who is not diabetic.
Singer offers these suggestions to help children with diabetes prepare for the fun and temptations of Halloween:
• Start early in the fall, just after Labor Day. Encourage children to get excited about the aspects of the holiday that don’t involve sweet treats. Singer likes to build the excitement of Halloween over several weeks.
"We start talking about their costumes in early September, decide what they’re going to be, and look through catalogs," says Singer. "It’s really a big deal for the girls, and they get a real thrill out of ordering the costumes, planning their hair and makeup, and trying it all on when the package arrives."
The same thing would be true for boys, Singer says. They can get their thrills from planning their superhero or gory monster costumes and makeup.
• For parties, the child can take healthy treats to share with all the other guests. "Mollie and Jackie always take sugar-free cakes or candies so Mollie can participate in the good times right along with the other kids, says Singer. "Some of her classmates now say they like Mollie’s treats better than the sugar-loaded sweets that are typically sent to school parties."
• Work out a swap system for trickin’ and treatin’. Like most kids, the Singer girls must bring all their trick-or-treat candy home for inspection by parents before they eat any of it.
That gives Singer the perfect opportunity to swap with Mollie, piece for piece, sugar-free candies for the Hershey bars, M&Ms, and gummy bears that fill her bag.
"No big issue is made of it. She’s happy with that," says Singer, "because she’s not deprived of the sweets in any way." And, in the end, there’s always room in a diabetic child’s diet for a Snickers bar here and there. "I keep a few pieces out for those moments when she comes to me and says, Mom, I am really craving a Snickers bar.’" Singer says. "So we adjust her insulin and her diet so she can have one every once in a while. When we do that, she usually doesn’t ask again for several months."
The important part of the whole plan, says Singer, is that the emphasis is placed on the fun and not on the sweet treats. "She feels in control, and, most importantly, she feels normal," says Singer.
Not only does Mollie have support from a loving family, she has a twin willing to make big sacrifices for her sister. Last year after Halloween, Jackie decided to give up candy for a year in solidarity with Mollie. "It hasn’t bothered her a bit," says their proud Mom.
[Contact Jackie Singer at (702) 436-4981.]
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.