Why what an excellent post!

Gumbo wrote:
> Halloween Tips for Parents & Kids
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
>
> For many families, October brings thoughts of witches, ghosts, and goblins.
> Not to mention candy, gooey treats and parties! For families living with
> diabetes, Halloween presents entirely different issues. As a parent of a
> child with diabetes, you may wonder whether your child can participate in
> Halloween activities.
>
> There's no reason that having diabetes should interfere with having
> Halloween fun. Here are a few tips for a safe and happy Halloween for both
> you and your child.
>
> a.. The best part of Halloween is the "dressing up." Put extra effort
> into your child's costume. Get the whole family involved.
>
>
> b.. Plan a party on Halloween night. That way, friends and family can get
> together AND you can plan a healthy menu.
>
>
> c.. Go to a Halloween activity in the community such as a haunted house,
> hayride or bonfire.
>
>
> d.. There's no reason not to allow your child with diabetes to go
> trick-or-treating. Just take some age-appropriate measures to ensure her
> safety (both with diabetes, and in general!). Younger children should
> always trick-or-treat with a parent. Older kids can often go with friends
> or siblings, depending on where you live. If you think your older child
> might need to check his blood glucose while he's out, remind him before he
> goes or ask him to wear a cell phone or pager. (His testing supplies may not
> "wear well" with his costume and you may want to make arrangements to meet
> him for a quick check en route.)
>
>
> e.. Kids with diabetes can have treats. Of course, the rule is moderation
> with foods high in carbohydrate (including sweets and starches). Suggest
> that your child select a few favorite treats and trade the rest in for a
> present or money.
>
>
> f.. If your children do eat candy, remember to check the carbohydrate in
> their meal plan, check their blood glucose and plan for more activity to
> help counteract any elevated blood glucose levels. Checking blood glucose
> levels helps to teach the lesson that candy causes elevations in blood
> glucose. Kids do want to have blood glucose numbers in normal ranges! They
> feel better!
>
>
> g.. A little extra physical activity on Halloween and the following days
> may allow your child to have some Halloween treats without taking extra
> insulin. Talk to your doctor, diabetes educator, or dietitian about how to
> work these treats into her meal plan safely.
>
>
> h.. Substitute candy with treats lower in carbohydrate. At home, you can
> pass out toys and trinkets, like false teeth, super balls, "slime,"
> necklaces, temporary tattoos, etc. Kids often like these more than candy
> anyway! Visit your local dime store or go to an online toy vendor to stock
> up!
>
>
>
> i.. Remember that candy has a long shelf-life. You can keep some of your
> child's favorites for him or her to enjoy at other times. Put some in the
> freezer or refrigerator too.
>
>
> j.. Treats low in fat can be used to treat lows throughout the year.
> Chocolate and other higher-fat treats don't work well for treating lows,
> though, as the fat slows the progress of glucose into the blood stream.
> Stick to hard candies, gum drops, lollipops, and the like.
>
>
> k.. Have a ghostly good time!
>
>
>

--
"...in addition to being foreign territory the past is, as history, a
hall of mirrors that reflect the needs of souls observing from the present"
Glen Cook