just for kids

october 2000

Halloween is a bittersweet holiday for children with diabetes. There is the excitement of planning a costume and maybe a party, but there is the problem with all of the candy that is dropped into the goodie bag or plastic pumpkin. We can have our children collect for UNICEF, but the candy still comes and even with the new nutrition guidelines, eating many candy bars is not good for your child. There is help out there. Every year many local ADA chapters have a Halloween party for children, siblings, and families. Call your local ADA or JDF and see who subsidizes a party in your city. Typical for most are live music or a DJ, healthy snacks, games, face painting, prizes for costumes, and for parents all of the information about diabetes they were willing to take home or ask about at the information booth. There's usually no charge for this party and no one checks to see if you are a member of the ADA. If your child is going trick-or-treating, parents, here are some tips for a safe and happy Halloween for both you and your child. Kids with diabetes can have treats. The rule is moderation with candy and other treats high in carbohydrates. Suggest that your child select a few favorite treats, put some away to be doled out over the next several months, and trade the rest in for a present, or money. Any treat eaten will need to be a part of the carbohydrates in that day's meal plan. When your child does eat sweets, be sure to check their blood sugar levels and plan for more activity to help keep those levels under better control. They (and you) will feel better. The best part of Halloween is the costume. Put extra effort in your child to pretend to be whatever he/she wants and involve the entire family. Since Halloween this year is on a school night, arrange for your child and a friend or two to visit a haunted house or go on a hayride this year instead of going trick-or-treating. Plan to stop for a special "treat" such as ice cream or frozen yogurt on the way home. How about a party at home? Use black or dark purple table cloths. Change the light bulbs to blue to set the mood. Decorate with cobwebs and plastic spiders as well as skeletons. Place paper bats on the walls and hang other flying objects on wire from the ceiling at a safe height. There are games to play, and some are as old as the hills. There are always bobbing for apples, scary stories with props, and scary movies from the video store. Give out plenty of prizes all around. Here's a recipe for a Ghost Meringues that we've adapted from The Country Fair Cookbook by Alison Boteler (Barron's). We've known Alison for years, and she has always had great ideas for children. In her book, the meringues are piped into the shape of snowmen with currants for eyes and a sliver of candied orange peel for the nose (remember this for Christmas). They can also take the form of a ghost-making a terrific treat to make for a party at home or to send with your child as treats for the school Halloween party (check with your child's teacher first). Your child will enjoy helping you make these! Ghost Meringues