This will be my 7th Halloween
with diabetes, and I have some things that I’ve learned over the years in
regard to this holiday.
Candy is one of the main factors of Halloween, for
sure. This can be hard for people with diabetes, because its high sugar content
makes it hard for insulin to catch up and often leads to blood sugar spikes. I
do love Reese’s Pieces, so what I used to do with my friends was go trick or
treating with them normally and then go back to my house to trade pieces. I’d
always trade for non-edible treats (i.e. pencils or toys) and a few pieces that
I did want. I then would count the leftover pieces and trade with my mom (i.e.
10 pieces for a dollar or 20 for 30 minutes of TV time). These trades were very
important to me; my mom knew that the candy would be tempting for me and would
most likely end in a blood sugar spike but also didn’t want to make me feel
different, and she succeeded in avoiding both of these. Also, she never told me
I couldn’t go trick or treating! When all of my friends went, I was allowed to
too. This didn't make me feel any different than my friends.
It takes a little bit
more testing (walking and excitement make me go low, adrenaline from being
scared and possible candy eating make me go high), but it was manageable and
very important to me. I am no different than other people and I can do
anything, but it was better for me to avoid the candy and take the trade
instead.
Holidays centered around eating have always been harder; when someone
pulls out the cranberry sauce, candy corn, or pumpkin pie, I always get a
little nervous. However, part of growing up with diabetes is learning the
importance of managing yourself around these foods. Of course you can eat what
you want, however quantity and control are the names of the game.
My mom helped
me so much to instill good habits in myself so that I knew not to go overboard
with sugar and so that I always bolused myself for however much I was going to
eat. And, of course, this can be very frustrating for little guys who just want
to eat candy like their friends, I know it was for me the first Halloween after
the diagnosis. However, my parents stocked a bowl full of weird spooky toys,
decks of cards, whistles, balls, and other little items that I had full reign
of. Little trades and distractions like these helped me out a ton!
It’s also
important to communicate with school during the holidays; Halloween parties can
be tough when they’re stocked with punch, candy, and other sugary snacks.
Recently, my AP chemistry teacher made punch with dry ice for the class and,
remembering I have diabetes, made me my own little cup of sugarless punch,
which was one of the most touching things that a teacher has ever done for me.
In addition, for me, it helped to place more emphasis on the non-food parts of
Halloween, like spending time with friends, exploring my neighborhood, wearing
cool costumes, and watching scary movies. So, although Halloween can be tough
for people with diabetes, it can definitely be a safe, fun holiday.
Happy trick
or treating!
