Checking out his loot

Dare I say…”healthier” Halloween candy? YES! I’ll make that statement.

Long before we faced food issues, my son didn’t like candy. You read that right. My son did not like candy. I’ll never forget the year he practically argued with his cousin because she couldn’t believe that he did not want the candy she was so generously offering. Or the birthday party where he asked if they had carrots or olives when it was time for cake.

I should’ve known back then.

It’s been about two years since we discovered by son’s sensitivities to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and artificial food additives (like food colors) which means that this will be our third Halloween where he will likely not enjoy anything he gathers that night. Even though our daughter doesn’t react as strongly as he does, we can absolutely tell when she’s had HFCS.

Halloween sounds really fun for these kids, right? Actually, they love it and have been looking forward to it for over a month.

Sure there’s the fun of dressing up, parties and the trick or treating adventure…and who doesn’t enjoy trying to figure out which friend is behind the silly or scary mask? Thankfully, for our kids the fun isn’t about the candy.

Once we get home, they’ll dump their loot out and we’ll sort through everything to pull out the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups that mommy and daddy like. All other candy goes into a bag that I bring to the office. Then it gets fun for the kids.

They each get to choose a handful of candy from the healthier assortment we’ve bought. Throughout the year, Yummy Earth Organics are a favorite for their suckers, gummies and hard candy, but especially now.

We also let them choose to buy a small item (like a book, CD or board game) or put the money in their piggy bank.

My prediction: my son will save the money for the skateboard he wants and my daughter will want something pink, or a new fairy.

How do you handle Halloween Candy in your family?