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Expert Q&A

	By Amy Ogle Amy Ogle, M.S., R.D.

How much Halloween candy should I let my children consume and does sugar really cause hyperactivity?

There are really no definite "rules" when determining how much candy kids should have access to, aside from the obvious recommendation to offer it in moderate quantities. I also try to avoid making a big deal out of it. It also will vary depending on the ages of your children.

On Halloween day, I see no reason not to let your school-age children have two to three mini pieces of candy. Then, they can choose one or two small pieces to put in their lunches or have after dinner (you could offer this choice every other day if you prefer). If you normally have occasional cookies or other sweets available for dessert, don't make these available if the child is still opting for the Halloween candy. Another helpful hint is to limit the size of their Halloween bag and the number of houses the kids visit (I guess many kids nowadays don't go door to door like we did in the "olden days," though).

And finally, the connection between sugar and hyperactivity has been disproven over and over. If you think about it, though, often when sugary goodies are being consumed (e.g. parties, etc.) the situation alone is enough to make a child "bounce off the walls."

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