Navigating Halloween Candy with Your Kids
Next week is Halloween which means costumes, scary movies, and, of course, candy! For many parents, the idea of their kids bringing home buckets of candy can bring up some anxiety and uncertainty about how to handle it. Today, I want to share a few tips to help ease that anxiety and help you feel more confident navigating this fun holiday tradition.
1. Don’t demonize candy.
Instead of making negative comments about candy, focus on the positives aspects of it. The act of trick-or-treating and sorting through the night’s haul is about more than just treats, it’s about tradition, celebration, connection, and enjoyment. When parents speak negatively about candy, it can take away from the fun of the day and may unintentionally reinforce black-and-white thinking or rigid beliefs around food. Highlighting the positive aspects of candy helps to neutralize all foods and foster a healthy and more positive relationship with food!
2. Have a balanced meal before trick-or-treating.
Before heading out, make sure everyone eats a full, balanced meal. Going out on an empty stomach often leads to feeling overly hungry and eating to the point of discomfort. Having a satisfying meal beforehand helps create more mindfulness when it comes time to enjoying the candy.
3. Let kids practice listening to their bodies.
Allow your kids to choose the candy they want and encourage them to check in with their bodies to notice when they feel full or satisfied. Halloween can be a great opportunity to help them build trust in their own hunger and fullness cues while still having fun! Also, remind them that they can have access to this candy any time they want over the next few weeks, so they know that they can get more candy tomorrow at snack or for dessert. This avoids what we call “Last Supper Mentality” in which we may feel like we have to eat as much as we can in the moment, because we’re not sure when we might get another opportunity to enjoy that food.
We hope these tips are helpful and that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween! If you’re a parent interested in learning more about raising intuitive eaters or how to best support your child at mealtimes, use the link below to schedule a parent session. Our goal is to help you feel confident and empowered in feeding your child in a way that supports their physical growth and fosters a positive relationship with food!