‘Don’t try to healthify Halloween’: Dietitian’s message to parents as the lollies flow in

Halloween is upon us, which means one thing: a mass sugar high is incoming. (And let’s not forget the last-minute scramble for costumes, either.)

Kids coming home with armfuls of lollies and chocolates sounds like a recipe for nutritional chaos, but dietitian Danielle Shine has a message for parents: it’s not worth freaking out over what they’re eating.

“Treats aren’t a major concern when they’re eaten as part of a well-balanced diet,” she said.

“Children need a variety of foods across the week, including foods that provide energy, fibre and a wide range of nutrients, like protein, vitamins and minerals.

“But that doesn’t mean there isn’t also room for foods like lollies and chocolate.”

We know you have questions – so here’s Shine’s verdict on all your Halloween food dilemmas.

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All that sugar... should I be looking for sugar-free alternatives?

Naturally, the main concern with Halloween sweets is the sugar content – but Shine stresses it isn’t “inherently bad” for children’s health.

“Of course, we don’t want children eating large amounts of added sugar every day. But in the context of an overall healthy diet, eating more treats than usual on a special occasion like Halloween isn’t something to worry about,” she said.

As for seeking out sugar-free alternatives, that comes with a word of caution too.

“‘Sugar-free’ doesn’t automatically mean healthier. A lolly is still a lolly, whether it contains sugar or a sugar alternative,” Shine said.

“When sugar is removed, it usually has to be replaced with other ingredients to maintain the taste and texture. That can include sweeteners and added fibres, like corn fibre, which can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort when consumed in larger amounts.“

Shine notes these products can also cost more without “necessarily offering any meaningful nutritional benefit”.

Should I be worried about the other ingredients?

Sugar aside, ingredients and additives like colours, flavours and preservatives that are also common in lollies can concern parents. However, Shine says this shouldn’t be a cause for worry in most cases.

“Adverse reactions to particular additives can occur, but they’re uncommon. If a child has a known reaction to a specific additive, parents can check ingredient lists to avoid that ingredient,” she said.

The dietitian adds that food additives serve practical purposes, including helping to maintain food safety, and are assessed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) before being approved for use.

“The presence of an additive in a food doesn’t automatically mean that food poses a health risk,” Shine said.

She also highlights the presence of fearmongering around food additives in online content that “isn’t supported by strong evidence”.

“This often stems from misunderstandings about nutrition science and toxicology,” she said.

“Claims about additives often overlook the role of dose in determining whether something can cause harm. In excessively large amounts, even substances we need to survive, including water, can be harmful.

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“Just because an ingredient can cause harm at high doses doesn’t mean the amount used in food poses a health risk.”

My kid’s come home with a bucketful of lollies. What now?

“First, don’t panic. Halloween is one of those occasions when children are likely to eat more treats than usual, and that’s okay,” Shine said.

“Eating well is about the bigger picture, not every single thing a child eats ... don’t try to healthify Halloween, let it be fun.”

There’s a happy medium between letting your kids devour the lot in one go and getting rid of them.

“If there’s a lot, you can put some away and offer them again over the following days or weeks, perhaps as part of dessert or alongside a usual snack. There’s no need to be overly strict about how much they have at a time. Just fit the treats around their normal meals and snacks,” Shine said.

She also advises against making your child eat “extra healthy” after Halloween to compensate for the sugar rush – just return to your normal eating routine.

“I’d also avoid pressuring kids into swapping toys, screen time or other rewards in for lollies or chocolate. We don’t want children to learn that these foods are something they have to earn, because that can make them seem more special or desirable.”

Another consideration is language. Shine says labelling foods as ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘toxic’ or ‘poison’ is part of the “wellness culture trap” of moralising foods.

“Describing foods and ingredients this way can teach children to associate eating certain foods with guilt, shame or fear ... children should be able to enjoy lollies and chocolate without feeling guilty.”