How much Halloween candy should parents let their kids eat? The answer may not be what you'd expect

Halloween How much Halloween candy should parents let their kids eat? The answer may not be what you'd expect Candy and sugar are very much a normal part of Halloween. But how much is too much? Published 23 minutes ago • Updated 22 minutes ago BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. Halloween can be challenging for children living with Type 1 diabetes, but good news could be on the way, as Kate Chappell explains. It's a question on many parents minds this week, aside from costumes: After the trick-or-treating is said and done, how many pieces of sugary Halloween candy should kids be allowed to have? Should it be limited? The answer may not be exactly the hard and fast rules parents were expecting. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are.   WATCH HERE "Candy is a very normal part of Halloween," said Megan Meyer, advanced registered dietician with Northwestern Medicine said in an interview with NBC Chicago. "And it's obviously expected that, you know candy is going to be a part of children's diets." Meyer went on to say that the holiday gives parents an opportunity to model healthy eating behaviors, rather than judging the food as good or bad or imposing strict intake limits. In some families, that could mean allowing kids to pick two or three pieces of candy and enjoy it with a meal together. Halloween Oct 27 Weather-obsessed 3-year-old girl goes as NBC Chicago meteorologist for Halloween Halloween Oct 26 Chicago area trick-or-treat times: What are the hours when Halloween falls on a Saturday? Halloween Oct 25 Make Halloween inclusive: How to join the Teal Pumpkin Project "Show them how the candy can be a part of other nutrient-dense foods, and part of nourished foods, and also foods that are part of enjoyment," Meyer said. "And demonstrate that the moderation is a part of other nutrient-dense foods of the day. Meyer said there is no right or wrong answer for the number of candy pieces a kid should have on Halloween. "I think that is parent discretion," Meyer said, "but allowing the kids to enjoy or pick their two to three favorite pieces can give them the autonomy to enjoy their route of candy. When we start putting foods like candy as part a stipulation to eat other foods, then all of a sudden those foods are 'good.' There is no good or bad food, candy included." One point parents should pay close attention to, Meyer said, is the sugar content, but it's all about moderation. For children two and older, aim for 25 grams or less of added sugar per day, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends. "I think sugar is a normal part of this holiday weekend, and it can be fun and enjoyed part of a healthy eating lifestyle," Meyer said. This article tagged under: Halloween