How will candy affect YOUR child this Halloween? The worrying effects sugary sweets can have on your kids... including constipation, excessive hunger and CRAVINGS the next day
- Halloween is fast approaching and this year, occurs on a Monday
- Dietitians have revealed the impact too much sugar can have on children
- They include hyperactivity, hunger, tiredness, headaches and tummy pain
- The sugar combined with excitedness could also lead to a lack of sleep
- Some sweets are better than others and contain fewer artificial flavours
With Halloween fast approaching, many children are excitedly planning their costumes and picking out their candy baskets.
But while trick-or-treating is a one off occasion, many parents are unaware of the impact excessive sugar consumption can have on their kids.
Australian dietitian and exercise physiologist, Gabrielle Maston, has revealed the negative impact too much sugar can have on children and how a Monday night binge could lead to a very sleepy Tuesday at school.
Take it slow: With Halloween fast approaching, many children are excitedly planning their costumes and picking out their candy baskets
'Moderation is key, especially if kids have an otherwise healthy diet, but on Halloween kids get a lot of candy - bucket loads of it,' Ms Maston told Daily Mail Australia.
'The first thing that happens when they consume the sugar is a spike in blood glucose which then makes their insulin go up and they start to get very hungry 30 minutes later.
'This means they will be ready for a meal soon after and could lead to over-eating or in worst case scenarios, binge eating.'
The excitement combined with the hyperactivity caused by the sugar consumption can also lead to a lack of sleep.
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'The first thing that happens when they consume the sugar is a spike in blood glucose which then makes their insulin go up and they start to get very hungry 30 minutes later,' Australian dietitian and exercise physiologist, Gabrielle Maston, said
'When your digestive system is in hyper drive trying to get your levels down it takes much longer to settle,' Ms Maston said.
'They might also have sugar cravings the next day because it is quite addictive and if they get into a habit of eating a lot of sugar this can then lead to very serious issues in the future.
Ms Maston said if children are left to binge eat then this could lead to constipation and a bad stomach ache.
'This could also set them up for poor eating behaviours in the future. It's important to focus on moderation and still let kids be kids,' she said.
Ms Maston said the best thing to do is to feed children before they trick-or-treat and ration out the sweets afterwards.
'Give them a small portion once or twice a week': Both Ms Maston (left) and Accredited practising dietitian, Geraldine Georgeou (right), agree that moderation is key on Halloween night
'Take them off them and give them a small portion once or twice a week,' she suggested.
'On the night it's best to have the recommended serving, so between 30 to 50 grams. This about one fun size chocolate bar or around six jelly snakes.
'Milky Bars are great - they usually have the lowest calorie levels.'
Accredited practising dietitian and founder of Designer Diets, Geraldine Georgeou, agrees that moderation is essential on Monday evening.
'Sugar consumption can lead to tiredness and in large amounts can lead to an irritable bowel or even diarrhoea in some cases,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
Small amount: 'On the night it's best to have the recommended serving so between 30 to 50 grams. This about one fun size chocolate bar or around six jelly snakes,' Ms Maston said
'They can get really sick... kids don't eat a normal amount on Halloween because they are scavenging around trying to get as much candy as they can. This can then lead to them getting a sore tummy, especially if they are eating on an empty stomach.
'The best thing is to make sure they have an afternoon tea snack before as this helps with over eating.'
Ms Georgeou said Halloween could potentially disrupt the school week.
'They could get quite headachey and be very tired the next day as well,' Ms Georgeou said.
Take care: Dental care is also crucial when it comes to Halloween, with the Australian recommending children don't snack on the sugary treats over a long period of time
'At the end of the day you don't want to deny them of their fun but it's very important to use it as a time to promote balance. Kids who are denied lollies for a long time let loose later on in life which is then followed by a lot of guilt.
'Keep it fun, enjoy but also perhaps help them realise that it's Halloween but this doesn't mean we have to eat it all at once. In fact, we could space it out for few weeks and enjoy our lollies for a few weeks!'
Dental care is also crucial when it comes to Halloween, with the Australian Dental Association recommending children don't snack on the sugary treats over a long period of time.
They also recommend kids rinse their mouth after anything sugary, ensure they brush their teeth well before going to bed and have a sugar break the week before and after Halloween.
'The only crooked mouths we want to see on Halloween are those on pumpkin Jack-o'-lanterns, so that everyone can continue to enjoy sweet treats at all future Halloweens,' Dr Peter Alldritt, Chair of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee, said.
