As kids, Halloween held a special place in our hearts. It was the holiday of costumes, spooky tricks, and of course, a seemingly endless candies and chocolates. But when you’re on a mission to lower your blood sugars, Halloween can bring a different set of emotions to the table.
Candies and chocolates have the reputation of being packed with carbohydrates and sugar. They may have been at the top of the list of foods your doctor advised you to steer clear of. However, the good news is that it’s still entirely possible to include these delightful treats in your blood sugar-friendly diet
3 Tips for Enjoying Halloween Candy without Blood Sugar Spikes
Balance Your Halloween Treats
Balanced meals are part of the foundation of managing blood sugars. Eating a balanced meal before indulging in your favourite Halloween candy helps prevent spikes in your blood sugar. This super simple step can go a long way in preventing spikes in your blood sugar when enjoying your favourite treats.
A balanced plate can be essential in preventing blood sugar spikes. It includes complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats. This combination of nutrients helps slow down your body’s digestion of carbohydrates into sugars, and absorption of those sugars into your bloodstream. Slowing down the rate at which sugars are absorbed, gives your body more time to use insulin to move the sugar from the bloodstream into your cells, which helps prevents a massive spike in your blood sugar.
Check out my article on balanced meals to learn more about their role in blood sugar management, and tips for building a balanced plate.
Blood Sugar-Friendly Candies
Many mini and fun sizes treats have less than 15 g of carbohydrates, which makes them easy to include in your blood sugar-friendly diet.
Plus, their mini sizes make them easy to pack for work or school lunches! Below you can find some popular Halloween treats that contain less than 15 g of carbohydrates!
Click an image below to enlarge.
Nutrition by Addition
Many Halloween candies contain more carbohydrates and sugar than we recommend for balanced meals or snacks. Adding sources of protein and fat, such as peanuts or cashews, can help round off your treat, and prevent a big spike in your blood sugar.
Understand Your Blood Sugars
Working with a Registered Dietitian to understand your diabetes and develop personalized strategies to lower your blood sugars – with foods you enjoy