It’s that time of year again when it's getting colder outside, school is on a roll, and everything is hopefully going well in your keto world. Then you walk into pretty much any store to find decorations colored in black and orange and entire sections of candies and sugar right at the entrance!
What is a keto-parent to do? Children are chattering about what costume they want to dress up in this year, how much candy they think they'll get, and all you can think about is, “Can my keto kid go trick or treating? Can we make it through this holiday without a sentimental scratch?”
The answers are: YES and YES! Children on a ketogenic diet can have just as much fun as any other kid out there celebrating Halloween. There may need to be some rules that other kids may not need to stick to, but the fun won’t be a disappearing act. Here are more than a few ideas to make Halloween on a ketogenic diet fun, crafty, ghoulalicious, and a sure way to set new traditions.
Can my child go trick or treating?
Absolutely! Let them collect a bag of candy along with their friends and neighbors. When they get home have them participate in one of the fun new ideas or traditions listed below. Trick or treating is a great way for all kids to not only get out and have fun but also get some exercise. A good rule of thumb is to have them eat dinner or a filling snack BEFORE going trick or treating so they don’t get the munchies once they are out there.
New Fun Ideas & Traditions
1. "Switch Witch" I truly have to say, I stole this idea from one of my patients with diabetes a while back, but come to think about it, it works!! For a keto kid it’s genius!
Once your child has come home with a bag full of candy and treats, have them count them with you and put them in a bag for the “Switch Witch” – yes she’s that sweet tooth , sugar eating witch with rotting teeth who’s willing to take your child’s candy and switch them over for a fun toy or surprise that your child will wake up to the next morning!
Tada! Replacing candy your child cannot eat with a fun surprise you know your child will enjoy is a great way to make sure your child feels included even without the candy. Feel free to come up with your own Halloween “goblin” that will replace candy for a treat.
2. Donate. If the above doesn’t work for you or if it just screams of spoiling your child, then have your kids collect the candy and donate the candies to our troops overseas. Many dental offices will collect candies that your little ones collect. Not sure if this includes a discount on your next dental visit though, hehe.
3. Plan ahead. Have close friends and neighbors provide a pre-set keto treat bag for your little one when they ring their doorbell and say, “trick or treat”. A bag full of little non-edible goodies like Halloween stickers, spider rings, bubbles, erasers, pencils, etc. Places like Walmart, the dollar store or Target often have sections at the store filled with fun little trinkets that are not expensive. These can also be taken to school to hand out to your child’s classmates.
4. Focus on costumes, not on the candy! Have a costume contest. Dress up your child in their favorite costume or disguise. Be creative, decorate their stroller or make their wheelchair part of their disguise. Pinterest always has some amazing ideas, for example, a brand-new toy still in the box, the box is the stroller, and the doll or toy is your child.
5. Host a Halloween party, play games and focus on non-edible treats. You can have them paint mini pumpkins, toss balls or any other fun game. Focus on the fun decorations! If you do get trick or treaters to your house, instead of having a large bowl of candy that might get into the wrong hands or mouth, try pre-packaging them into sealed “grab bags” for non-keto kids to take home.
6. Visit a pumpkin patch. Go on a hayride or if your child is old enough and able, perhaps a [not so] haunted house might be a fun. Many theme parks also celebrate Halloween with amazing decorations and often host a series of fun events for the whole family to enjoy.
7. Keto-friendly treats. Here are a few Halloween keto treat ideas to make at home. Make sure to double check with your keto team and RD to ensure it fits your child’s keto diet prescription.
- Keto Chocolates: add stevia flavoring drops to cocoa butter. Add mixture in Halloween-themed molds and enjoy. Molds can be used to make other carb-free treats as well.
- Pumpkin Spice Shake - see recipe
- Chocolate Muffins - see recipe
Happy Halloween and enjoy.
Guest blog post provided by ketogenic dietitian Vanessa Aldaz, MPH, RD, CDE. Thanks for these fabulous ideas, Vanessa!
Brought to you by Nutricia North America
Always consult with your ketogenic clinician prior to making any changes to your ketogenic diet or condition management.
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