🎃 Managing Diabetes During the Festive Season: From Halloween Treats to Christmas Feasts
- Your Health Ally
- Nov 27
- 3 min read
Halloween may have just wrapped up — but the sweet season is far from over. Christmas parties, end-of-year gatherings, and New Year celebrations are all around the corner. The chocolates, puddings, and sugary drinks start flowing freely… and before we know it, both kids and adults may be consuming far more sugar than we realise.
For parents, the question often arises:
“How much sugar should I let my kids have?”
For adults living with diabetes:
“How can I enjoy the festive season without disrupting my blood sugar control?”
As a pharmacist, I’ve seen both kids and adults struggle with managing sugar intake during this time of year. Here’s how you can strike the right balance for your family.
How to Manage Diabetes During the Festive Season
The holiday season can disrupt normal routines, making blood sugar management challenging. Try these pharmacist-approved tips:
Don’t skip meals to save room for sweets – This can cause sudden drops or spikes in blood glucose.
Check your blood sugar more often – Especially when eating festive foods you don’t normally have.
Stay hydrated – Water helps stabilise blood sugar and curbs appetite for extra treats.
Plan ahead – Keep healthy snacks, glucose tablets, or insulin (if needed) handy during parties and travel.
Include fibre and protein – Balance meals and snacks to slow sugar absorption.
How Much Sugar Should Kids Have After Halloween?
After Halloween, children often have access to more candy than they need. Here’s how to manage sugar intake in a practical, parent-friendly way:
Sort and portion – Keep a small selection of favourite treats; store or donate extras.
Set treat times – One scheduled time per day is better than constant snacking. Avoid late-night snacking on sweets. Eating sugary foods right before bed on an empty stomach can spike blood sugar and affect sleep.
Offer water or milk – Encourage rinsing the mouth after sweets.
Balance meals – Include fruit, protein, and fibre to reduce sugar spikes and crashes.
Brush teeth before bed
Sugar + night-time = increased risk of cavities.
Make brushing teeth part of the nightly routine after any treats.
The goal is moderation, not restriction. Teaching children healthy habits around sweets early helps them develop a balanced relationship with sugar.
Official Added Sugar Guidelines for Children
World Health Organization (WHO, 2015)
Recommendation: Added sugars should be less than 10% of total daily energy intake for both adults and children.
Additional benefit: Reducing to below 5% of total energy can help prevent dental caries and excess weight gain.
Source: WHO Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
Australian Dietary Guidelines / NHMRC (2013)
Recommendation: Limit discretionary foods high in added sugars for children to reduce risk of obesity and dental caries.
Practical interpretations often used for parents:
Table Graphic: Recommended Daily Added Sugar for Children
Age Group | Max Added Sugar | Teaspoon Equivalent | Notes |
2–3 years | 25 g | ~6 tsp | Limit treats; focus on meals with fruit & dairy |
4–6 years | 25 g | ~6 tsp | Avoid sugary snacks before bedtime; brush teeth after treats |
7–10 years | 30 g | ~7 tsp | Encourage one “treat time” per day; pair with protein/fibre |
11–18 years | 50 g | ~12 tsp | Balance sweets with meals; maintain hydration and oral hygiene |
Free Printable Diabetes Record Book
Whether you use a digital app, continuous glucose monitor, or a traditional glucometer, consistent tracking is key.
Some people prefer digital tracking, while others find writing things down — meals, readings, and how they feel — more insightful.
A diabetes record book can help you:
Track readings daily
Log meals, exercise, and medication
Identify patterns and triggers for high or low blood sugar to help you stay on top of your health this festive season, I’ve created a free diabetes record book. Designed by a pharmacist, it makes logging your blood sugar simple, practical, and consistent.
📋 Download your free copy here: Free Resources
Remember, the sweetest gift you can give yourself and your family this holiday season is good health and peace of mind.
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