Trick or Treat! How Much Sugar is Too Much?

It’s October, which means pumpkin spice everything is on the menu and Halloween is just around the corner! If you are a parent, you may be gearing up for the arrival of hoards of candy into your home, and possibly thinking a little more about your child’s sugar intake. How much is too much? 

While there is no single right answer, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day – that’s about one full-size chocolate bar!

On Halloween, it’s okay to bend the rules a little! However, I recommend setting some candy rules and keeping consistent with them on and after Halloween. For example, the whole family could decide that each child can pick 3 candies each day for up to 2 weeks after Halloween, and then the rest gets thrown away (or taken to your work’s break room). 

Let’s also briefly address a common fear – that eating too much sugar could make children more hyper or struggle to fall asleep. For decades, scientists have looked into this; and for decades, they have been unable to prove that sugar consumption leads to hyperactivity in children. So, what does this mean? Your kids won’t get “wired” just from eating candy. If they do have trouble falling asleep on Halloween night, it’s likely due to the excitement of the day! 

One last thing – safety. When you get home from a night of trick-or-treating, be sure to look through your children’s candy. Some “edibles” are creatively marketed to look like classic children’s candy and snacks, and they may accidentally end up in your kid’s candy pile. 

As always, remind your children to brush their teeth (or do it yourself), after enjoying their sugary treats. And above all, have fun. Happy Halloween!