Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

This pediatrician gives her kids candy on Halloween. Here are 7 guilt-free candy tips.

Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD
Physician
October 30, 2019
Share
Tweet
Share

I’m a pediatrician, mom of three. And to many, this may come as a surprise, but yes, I give my kids candy on Halloween. And I don’t mean the organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, no artificial colors or flavoring, good for you “treats.” I’m talking about chocolate, caramel bars, gummies, and sour balls. Personally, my all-time favorite is red Twizzlers (yup, I’m admitting over the internet) Nevertheless, I have spent over two decades in medicine improving kids habits to decrease chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancers as well as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. I want your kids to participate in the festivities, feel ok about their relationship with candy, and not feel like their goodie bag has to be only filled with pencils, stickers, coins, and erasers or else the somehow failed at being healthy.

If we want kids to eat healthfully, then we must stop labeling foods “good or bad.” Food is simply food. Granted, some foods are more nutrient-dense than others. We all know how important it is to eat more fruits and vegetables, high fiber, limit red meat while cutting down on added sugar. So that’s not the issue. We need to make food, especially junk, non-nutritious snacks less important and powerful. No more bribing with candy, or allowing it only after two cups of lima beans have been consumed. Instead, enjoy the piece of candy at that moment, and don’t spend it feeling guilty or negative.

7 guilt-free candy tips

1. Don’t refer to candy as good or bad. It’s just candy (and yes, it’s filled with sugar) I guarantee if they eat too much, then they will get a stomachache — and that will be bad.

2. Avoid telling your child that you will be mad if they eat candy. This tactic never works. Stay in the here and now. It’s better just to let them choose which candy to have and have them enjoy that one treat than to deprive them of any candy.

3. Add in some extra exercise by walking to the farthest house for trick or treating because the only way to get home is to walk all the way back.

4. Make holidays like Halloween, not just about the candy, treats, and gifts. Also, incorporate games, read stories, watch holiday shows together, as this will take the focus off candy and emphasizes the social aspect of the day too. It also will make for lasting memories.

5. Decide how much candy your child can save for another day but let your child choose which ones they want to keep. I will add it’s better to store the saved booty in the kitchen rather than in the child’s room, particularly if you know they will sneak it and eat it alone by themselves.

6. If your child collected bags full of candy, donate the extra to a shelter or other organizations. Have your child participate in giving it away, don’t just do it yourself on the sly. This reinforces sharing and the importance of giving to others who may not have been able to partake in their own family festivities.

7. Allow candy or treats (in moderation) on nonholidays or events. Don’t bribe or make threats to access it. Go ahead, enjoy it. You are the parent and can decide how much to give and when it’s appropriate. Just remember choosing never to allow any junk will most likely backfire.

The holiday season is definitely upon us, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa on their way. The excess of food and sweets is also a constant in our daily lives, and it’s important as a parent to be aware that by making forbidden foods less forbidden, a healthier long-term goal is achievable. By allowing small amounts without negative feelings, you can shape the way your child relates to food and their health.

Jennifer Trachtenberg is a pediatrician and can be reached at Ask Dr. Jen.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Why developing new antibiotics is a losing battle

October 29, 2019 Kevin 1
…
Next

How to make compassion your personal pain reliever

October 30, 2019 Kevin 1
…

ADVERTISEMENT

Tagged as: Pediatrics

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why developing new antibiotics is a losing battle
Next Post >
How to make compassion your personal pain reliever

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD

  • A pediatrician’s tips for your kids’ snacking habits

    Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD
  • Motrin vs. Tylenol for children: A pediatrician explains

    Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD
  • Heart health begins in childhood: 5 tips from a pediatrician

    Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD

Related Posts

  • Essential health messaging tips for physicians [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Let kids come to the table

    Casey Nagel, MD
  • Tips for fellowship applicants from a program administrator

    Geri Herling, MHA
  • Let’s insure our kids instead of building a wall

    Sonali Saluja, MD, MPH
  • 8 scholarship tips for medical school

    Trisha Chau
  • The basics of the MMR vaccine from a pediatrician

    Roy Benaroch, MD

More in Physician

  • How doctors took back control from hospital executives

    Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD
  • How art and science fueled one woman’s path to medicine

    Amy Avakian, MD
  • In a fractured world, Brian Wilson’s message still heals

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Why being a physician mom is harder than anyone admits

    Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO, MPH
  • Removing vaccine advisers could jeopardize lives

    J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD
  • Why would any physician believe that the practice of medicine will become less abusive for them in the future?

    Curtis G. Graham, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why flashy AI tools won’t fix health care without real infrastructure

      David Carmouche, MD | Tech
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
    • When the diagnosis is personal: What my mother’s Alzheimer’s taught me about healing

      Pearl Jones, MD | Conditions
    • Key strategies for smooth EHR transitions in health care

      Sandra Johnson | Tech
    • Reassessing the impact of CDC’s opioid guidelines on chronic pain care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • The broken health care system doesn’t have to break you

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician
    • How scales of justice saved a doctor-patient relationship

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How dismantling DEI endangers the future of medical care

      Shashank Madhu and Christian Tallo | Education
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Earwax could hold secrets to cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease

      Sandra Vamos, EdD and Domenic Alaim | Conditions
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • Why health care must adapt to meet the needs of older adults with disabilities

      Lynn A. Schaefer, PhD | Conditions
    • How doctors took back control from hospital executives

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why flashy AI tools won’t fix health care without real infrastructure

      David Carmouche, MD | Tech
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
    • When the diagnosis is personal: What my mother’s Alzheimer’s taught me about healing

      Pearl Jones, MD | Conditions
    • Key strategies for smooth EHR transitions in health care

      Sandra Johnson | Tech
    • Reassessing the impact of CDC’s opioid guidelines on chronic pain care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • The broken health care system doesn’t have to break you

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician
    • How scales of justice saved a doctor-patient relationship

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How dismantling DEI endangers the future of medical care

      Shashank Madhu and Christian Tallo | Education
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Earwax could hold secrets to cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease

      Sandra Vamos, EdD and Domenic Alaim | Conditions
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • Why health care must adapt to meet the needs of older adults with disabilities

      Lynn A. Schaefer, PhD | Conditions
    • How doctors took back control from hospital executives

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

This pediatrician gives her kids candy on Halloween. Here are 7 guilt-free candy tips.
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...