Thoughts from our intern, Keyonna, about alternative ways to celebrate Halloween.

It’s getting to that time of year when everything around us is starting to feel just a little bit creepier. Movies about ghouls and monsters are becoming more popular; themed costume stores are preparing to open just in time for October…Halloween is coming! Of course, the scariest day of the year becomes even more horrifying when you factor in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Unfortunately, this is not the “fun” version of scary. I don’t know if I’m the only one that’s struggled with the idea of trading in decent blood sugars for multiple highs caused by candy-even if it were just for a night or two. On the contrary, Halloween is meant to be fun, even for those of us who struggle with T1D.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of fun alternatives to the traditional, sugar-blasted form of trick-or-treating. Besides, who says that’s the only acceptable way to spend the exciting day?

Here are some creative ideas if you’re looking for a more T1D-friendly Halloween celebration:

• Host a gathering. If you have a local support group with other families affected by T1D, host a party! Invite them over to spend the evening baking healthier desserts, having fun in costumes, and generally encouraging one another!
• You can also participate in the “teal pumpkin” movement. If you haven’t heard of it, some homes place a teal pumpkin out on their porch in order to indicate that their house gives out allergy-friendly treats. It’s a great way to make Halloween more inclusive for children with T1D or food allergies. Fill your bowl with candy alternatives, regular snacks, or even baked goods! Put a poster on your door explaining what you’re doing as well-it’s a wonderful way to spread T1D awareness!
• Offer snacks instead of candy: Many houses will offer snacks such as popcorn or pretzels. Snacks can be great, since the packaging also comes with the nutrition facts. On top of that, they’re way less likely to cause cavities, and will most likely be much more filling than a small piece of candy.
• Make your own treats: Having T1D doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice sweets altogether. There are simple recipes for homemade candy corn as well as hard candy. To make it taste sugary, there are a multitude of sugar alternatives available in many supermarkets or retail stores. One popular brand I personally enjoy is Splenda; however, there are plenty of others. Additionally T1D friendly cookies, cupcakes, and more are great ways to satisfy the sweet tooth without having to eat candy. Not only is the serving size much larger than a small lollipop, but carb-counting becomes a whole lot easier! To give it more of a “Halloween” feel, decorate it with the typical cobwebs, spiders, bats, and pumpkins, or even take it to the next level by frosting your desserts similarly to your favorite candy logos!
• Look for “healthier” candies: While all candy is, well, candy, some treats may be slightly better for consumers than others. For example, Milk Duds only contain nine grams of carbohydrates and Smarties have eight. This differs greatly from candies such as Sour Patch kids, which have 36 carbs for 16 pieces, or M&M’s peanut butter, which are 27 grams for a 1.69-oz bag. A complete list can be found here.
• Trade in your candy: Every year, Boscov’s partners with Breakthrough T1D for a candy exchange program. Trick-or-treaters under the age of 14 and affected by T1D have the option of trading in their Halloween candy for a $10 Boscov gift card! It’s a win-win: trade in one treat, but receive another! Check out the Breakthrough T1D Halloween guide for more information!

These are just a few ways that Halloween can be exciting, but without the aftermath that comes with a sugar overload. Hopefully at least one of these ideas is something you would like to incorporate into your Halloween celebrations. Regardless of what you choose to do that night, have fun with it! This day only comes around once per year, so it is important to ensure that the day turns out as sweet as it’s supposed to be.

Happy October, and may your Halloween be filled with spookily wonderful memories.

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Please note: The views expressed above are the writer’s own. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.