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If you have signed up for our\u00a0online Toddler & Kid Course<\/a>\u00a0(specifically the step on Desserts and Sugar), you know that our approach to Halloween candy may be a bit different than you would expect for people who talk about nutrition for a living. Sure, candy is not a \u201chealth food\u201d\u2026but we eat for many reasons. Health isn\u2019t always one of them. And collecting, sorting and enjoying Halloween candy is one of the joys of childhood for many kids.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As with most things parenting-related, it\u2019s all about balance and seeing the big picture. Candy will likely be part of your child\u2019s normal food landscape. We can help them learn to manage it and get their fill so they don\u2019t feel compelled to sneak or binge on it. Furthermore, we won\u2019t always have control of how or what our kids eat \u2013 it\u2019s important for us to continue to let them trust their bodies and hunger\/fullness cues so they can rely on them as they gain more independence.<\/p>\n Oftentimes parents assume that when they completely restrict sugar or candy, their kids simply won\u2019t want it or won\u2019t gravitate toward it. Research suggests otherwise. More\u00a0restrictive habits around food\u00a0<\/a>actually lead to children eating beyond their hunger cues. This makes sense \u2013 we tend to want what we perceive we cannot have. Read more about this in our\u00a0blog post\u00a0<\/a>all about sugar.<\/p>\n Also remember, it\u2019s OK to eat something simply because you love it. Not everything has to be eaten for our physical health. When we are satisfied by the foods we eat, we are more likely to eat an amount that\u2019s appropriate for our body and move along with our day. Food has less emotional power over us when it\u2019s neutral, not \u201cgood\u201d vs. \u201cbad.\u201d<\/p>\n So, how do we handle this with Halloween or other holiday candy? The main premise is to let them have their fill\u00a0when you decide to serve the candy<\/strong>\u00a0and to not make a big deal out of it. Don\u2019t use it as a bribery tool or as a reward \u2013 you\u2019ll automatically elevate the candy and make it seem \u201cspecial.\u201d Remember, we want what we perceive is \u201coff-limits.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how we recommend handling it:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0Offer a filling dinner and plenty of water before trick-or-treating.\u00a0<\/strong>If your kid is hangry during trick-or-treating they may want to eat on the run, which can be a safety hazard. They also might want to fill up on candy because they\u2019re so hungry. Before you head out, offer a protein-packed meal like spaghetti and meatballs,\u00a0chili, turkey burgers or pizza.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Decide if your kiddo is old enough for candy.<\/strong>\u00a0Most babies aren\u2019t ready for many types of candy because it\u2019s difficult to chew, plus babies don\u2019t quite understand what they\u2019re missing. One- and two-year-olds may be very aware that they\u2019re receiving candy and may want to try it, especially if they have older siblings or friends. As the parent, it\u2019s your choice whether or not to start exploring candy with your young toddler. (In our home we allow our kids to try Halloween candy once they\u2019re one year of age, but this is a decision you\u2019ll have to make.) If your child is going Trick-or-Treating, it may be difficult for them to understand why they can\u2019t eat the candy.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Once you get back home, sort it!\u00a0<\/strong>Remove any choking hazards or candies that may be difficult to chew like taffy, gum, or hard candy for kids under 4. (Use this opportunity to put together a Parent Stash of your favorites! You know, for safety and all\u2026)<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Allow your child to sort, explore and eat as much candy as they want when you get home.<\/strong>\u00a0Try not to comment on how much they are eating or pressure them to stop. Also, avoid overexcitement about candy \u2013 remember, we want our kids to see all food as food, not \u201csomething special.\u201d\u00a0Let them feel their own fullness and decide when to stop. If you haven\u2019t been doing this with your kiddos, they may test you and overeat \u2013 which may lead to a stomachache. Try not to take the \u201csee, I told you so\u201d route with them; rather, gently discuss what happened\u00a0and explain that sometimes if we eat more than our belly is hungry for, it hurts. If you start this approach young, you will likely be very surprised by how little your little actually eats! You might also notice that they\u2019re more interested in collecting and sorting the candy than actually eating it.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0You provide, child decides.<\/strong>\u00a0Decide how often you want to serve Halloween candy again for the next few weeks. Maybe you have some with each dinner or put some in their school or daycare lunch for a few days.<\/p>\n When you do serve it, let your child decide how much to eat and avoid\u00a0tying\u00a0it to behaviors (\u201cYou must finish your vegetables to get candy\u201d or \u201cNo candy if you don\u2019t clean up your toys\u201d). Rather, serve it with or after meals without making a fuss about it. You can do it once, five times, with every meal, or never again \u2013 this is up to you. If you remain neutral about it, oftentimes children lose interest.<\/p>\n Important caveat:<\/strong>\u00a0we still recommend that you as the parent decide when it\u2019s served. If your child has constant access to candy, they might not have an appetite for other foods. Remember, you provide food of your choice\u00a0at regular meals\u00a0\u2013 they decide how much to eat.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Keep it out of sight until you decide to serve it again.<\/strong>\u00a0A child who sees the candy in plain view will ask for it often. Put it out of sight, and if your child asks to have some when you weren\u2019t planning to serve it, explain that \u201cWe aren\u2019t having candy right now \u2013 let\u2019s have some with dinner. Would you like applesauce or crackers with your cheese for snack?\u201d<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0Decide if you want to phase it out.<\/strong>\u00a0In our family, after a few weeks my kids forget about the candy altogether and I donate it to our school or dentist (they usually have candy drives). Interestingly, they don\u2019t notice it and don\u2019t discuss it. Some families keep it longer or put it in the freezer. We don\u2019t recommend having kids use it as payment (like the \u201cswitch witch\u201d) because that makes the candy seem extra special. Rather, phase it out how it seems appropriate for your family or continue to enjoy it until it\u2019s gone. (Note: the \u201cswitch witch\u201d might be a good idea for kids with allergies or medical issues who cannot safely eat candy they received on Halloween.)<\/p>\n Need more help with mealtime? Check out our video-based\u00a0online courses<\/a>, which have helped thousands of parents raise happy, confident eaters!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n