Halloween Hangover

"Parents need to watch the amount [of candy] their kids are eating" - School Nurse Beth Dittman at Pirrung Elementary School in Mesquite, TX

Halloween has come and passed, leaving in it's wake the victorous capture of goodies and treats in little kids' bags. But before you let your kid indulge in a gluttony of candy, remember, too much of a 'good' thing can be bad.

Nutritionists say that gorging on Halloween candy may cause blood sugar levels to spike and drop. Dr. Greene's article, "The Relationship Between Sugar and Behavior in Children" notes that highly refined sugars and carbohydrates, which are found in most Halloween candy, enter the bloodstream quickly, produce more rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Now for most kids, this can create hyperactivity during that sudden burst of adrenaline. Once the Halloween candy has worked its way out of your child's system, tummy aches and crankiness are left behind.

Is there a way to beat the Halloween Hangover? You bet. Spread out your child's consumption of their Halloween candy, and don't give it to them on an empty stomach. Make sure your child has a breakfast which contains fiber (oatmeal, shredded wheat, berries, bananas, whole-grain pancakes, etc.), and add delicious fiber-containing treats (whole-grain breads, peaches, grapes, a myriad of other fresh fruits, etc.) to their lunch box. Fiber is nature's natural remedy to keeping a steady level of adrenaline.