When Halloween wraps up and kids return home with pillowcases full of candy, parents often face the annual question — what to do with it all?
We spoke with registered dietitian Emily Szatrowski about this, starting on the big night itself when kids pour out their piles of candy and go to dig in.
She says studies have showed that sugar itself won’t have a big effect on your child’s sleep, if anything it’s the excitement of the day that may keep them up.
So, when they come home and want to eat candy – let them.
In the days following Halloween, she recommends keeping candy in a shared space and serving it alongside regular meals or snacks to take away its “forbidden” appeal.
She goes over how that may look for the first couple of days.
Hiding or tossing candy can make children more possessive and build mistrust, she adds.
While some families use ideas like the “Switch Witch” to trade candy for toys, she cautions that it can send the wrong message.
When kids feel candy is restricted or taken away, that usually makes them want it more and Halloween is a great chance to teach kids that they can trust themselves.
Szatrowski offers supports for individuals all across Ontario.
