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By paNOW Staff

I want candy

You got the treats, now here are some tricks on how to handle Halloween candy consumption

Nov 4, 2025 | 5:03 PM

For some, the scariest part of Halloween can be the enormous piles of candy that will either linger for weeks or be devoured all too quickly, by kids and adults alike.

The intake of sweets is often a stress for parents especially, but a public health nutritionist said Halloween candy can actually be used in a good way to teach kids about self-regulation and how to build a healthier relationship with food.

Jacqueline Stickel with the Saskatchewan Health Authority suggests integrating candy into regular meals and snacks rather than restricting it completely.

“For example, you may want to offer a piece alongside the other foods at the dinner table. That’s a great way to teach kids about moderation in a neutral way. Or you may want to pair it as part of a balanced snack that contains protein or fibre – things like that, focusing on what you can add in that will help keep kids satisfied so they’re not just filling up on candy.”

Stickel said restricting candy altogether can actually backfire. If food, like candy, is labelled as bad, that may accidentally make it more appealing to kids.

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“It can lead to them wanting them more, sneaking them, overdoing it when they are around them and feeling guilty afterward. So, how we talk about food can help shape a child’s relationship with food in the long term. So rather than keeping them off limits, it’s good to model enjoyment of all types of food and avoid making it a big deal.”

She said eating lots of candy for a few days isn’t going to ruin a child’s health. However, they may end up learning through experience if they overeat and end up with a stomachache.

“They can make that connection themselves, free of guilt and shame,” she said.

Stickel also suggests normalizing treats so they’re part of a balanced diet throughout the year, not just around Halloween or the holidays.

“So when sweets aren’t forbidden or rare, kids likely won’t obsess about them, and they won’t overdo it when they’re exposed to them. That regular exposure can lead to confident eaters that are trusting their internal cues.”

She said the goal isn’t to limit sugar as much as possible; it is to raise kids who can enjoy treats as part of a healthy eating pattern.

She advised parents who have concerns about their child’s eating or nutrition, to contact a family doctor who can refer them to a dietitian for further support.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com