5 tips for healthy management of those famous Halloween candies

Tip #1: Collaborative sorting as soon as you get home

The principle: Transform the return from the collection into a structured family ritual rather than a chaotic all-you-can-eat buffet.

How to proceed:

As soon as the children return home, sit down together at the table with the bags of candy. Create three piles:

Pile A: Must-Have Favorites – The candies your child truly loves. Limit this pile to the number of candies you deem reasonable.

Pile B: The "okay" ones – The average candies that he'll eat if they're there, but that don't excite him.

Pile C: The unwanted ones – The sweets he doesn't like, those he received in very large quantities, or those that are suspicious (torn packaging, unidentified homemade sweets, etc.).

For each battery:

• Battery A: It remains accessible to the child according to the system you establish (see tip #2).
• Battery B: It can be shared with the rest of the family, donated to an organization, or kept for cooking (see tip #4).
• Battery C: Straight to the bin or compost, guilt-free!

Why it works:

By involving your child in sorting the candy, you teach them mindful consumption. They learn to identify what they truly enjoy versus what they would eat simply because it's sweet. You also reduce the total amount of candy available in a collaborative rather than authoritarian way, which helps to minimize potential resistance.

Tip #2: The "daily treat" rule rather than free access

The principle: Establish a clear and predictable structure rather than letting the child manage their consumption alone or controlling every request.

Three systems that work:

System A: Candy after supper (the simplest)

Only one candy per day, always at the same time – after supper or just before evening teeth brushing; the child simply chooses the candy he/she wants to eat from his/her A pile.

System B: The "pot of the week" (for children aged 7 and over)

Every Sunday, the child chooses 7 candies from their pile A and puts them in a small personal container, which represents their weekly ration. They decide for themselves when to eat them during the week; if they decide to eat them all on Monday, too bad, they won't have any more until the following week!

System C: The "coupon" system (a fun version for children aged 4 to 8)

The child receives 3 to 4 "coupons" per week (ideally, small slips of paper they can hold). When they want a treat, they must exchange a coupon. When the coupons are used up, it's over until next Sunday!

Things not to do:

❌ Hide the candy and distribute it according to your mood (welcome anxiety and constant demands!)

❌ Allow complete free access (even if some children will know to limit themselves to a reasonable amount, others may exceed the acceptable limit!)

❌ Use candy as a reward or punishment

Why it works:

Predictability eliminates exhausting negotiations. Your child knows exactly how many candies they can eat, and when. You're no longer the "bad parent who constantly refuses," you're simply the one who upholds the rule established together. And most importantly, these systems have a natural expiration date—when the candies are gone, they're gone!

Tip #3: The "all-you-can-eat buffet" effect on the first night

The principle: Let your children eat more candy than usual on Halloween night – ideally in a supervised manner!

So, on Halloween night, after the initial sorting, allow your child to choose 4 to 5 candies (or the number you deem reasonable) from their pile A and eat them that evening, after supper.

Why it works:

1. It satisfies immediate excitement. Halloween obviously generates excitement in children, and prohibiting or limiting candy too strictly on the evening itself can create significant frustration, in addition to giving candy the status of a forbidden object which then becomes even more desirable.

2. It demystifies. When the child can eat a few candies at once, he quickly realizes that: a) after 3-4 candies, he starts to feel nauseous, b) the candies are not as magical as he imagined when collecting them.

3. It reduces obsession. Children who had their "candy moment" that same evening are much less obsessed in the following days than those whose candy was confiscated immediately.

The rules to keep it healthy:

• Set the quantity BEFORE he starts eating them (no "one more!")
• After dinner, not before (a full stomach = less sugar craving)
• With a large glass of water next to it
• Brushing your teeth afterwards is mandatory!

Tip #4: Creative redistribution of surplus

The principle: Find constructive outlets for surplus candy rather than throwing it all away or keeping it all.

Five concrete ideas:

1. Cooking with candy

• Melt the chocolates to create homemade "bark"
• Use hard candies to decorate cookies
• Create scientific experiments (melt different candies in water and observe the possible reactions)

2. The "candy bank" for children's parties

Keep a small supply of wrapped sweets for party bags at upcoming birthday parties (yours or as gifts), to save some money!

3. Share with extended family

Grandparents, uncles, aunts, neighbors – many adults would surely love to receive a small bag of Halloween candy. Make them into little "gifts" that your child can hand out. In addition to teaching them about sharing, this makes it easy to reduce the amount of candy at home!

Tip #5: The Sugar Conversation

The principle: Use Halloween as an opportunity to teach nutrition and self-regulation, without demonizing sugar or making the child feel guilty.

How to talk about sugar in a healthy way:

What we say (to be adapted according to the child's age):

"Sweets are delicious and it's okay to eat them sometimes. But our bodies primarily need other foods to be strong, have energy, and grow properly. That's why we eat fruits, vegetables, and protein every day, and sweets only occasionally."

"Too much sugar at once can give you a stomachache, make you tired afterwards, and it's not good for your teeth. That's why we eat one or two candies a day, not ten. Your body will thank you!"

What is NOT said:

❌ "Sugar is bad!"

❌ "If you eat too many sweets, you'll get fat."

❌ “Good children don’t eat candy.”

Why this is important:

Demonizing sugar often backfires: children develop an unhealthy relationship with food, eat in secret, or feel guilty about the pleasure of eating. The goal is to teach moderation and listening to one's body, not fear.

Managing Halloween candy doesn't have to be a source of stress or conflict. With a clear structure, a little flexibility, creativity, and kind parenting, you can create an environment where your children can enjoy the holiday without going overboard.

The goal is not to eliminate sugar completely or to control every gram consumed. The goal is to teach moderation, self-regulation, and a healthy relationship with "treat" foods.

What strategy do you use to manage Halloween candy? Share your tips in the comments! 🎃🍬