Sleep Ponderings: "Trick or Treat, Give Me Something Good to Eat"

Halloween means candy, candy, and more candy. These little kids and big kids come home with way too much candy for any human being to eat before the candy has hit its expiration date. So, how does candy effect our children and their sleep?

First, what is candy made up of? Sugar, sugar, caffeine in chocolate, sometimes some nuts, sometimes some raisins or other filler. There is nothing good to say about candy except it does taste good.

Now, some things to think about as we watch our little ones consume this stuff. Caffeine, found in chocolate has been identified by the National Sleep Foundation as a sleep stealer. "Caffeine will stay in your body for hours. It takes about six hours for half of the caffeine to be eliminated from your body." So, consider the time caffeine is consumed. Maybe you want to limit the amount of chocolate candies your child eats- or skip chocolate candies.

Each child reacts differently to sugar consumption- it may or may not alter their behavior and to differing degrees. According to Patti Teel, "avoid late afternoon and evening caffeine and sugar consumption."

When your child does indulge in their Halloween treats or whatever treat is presented on a special occasion you may also want to think about slowing the effects of sugar by having your child eat a protein with it (a tip I just learned from a fellow mom of a diabetic child). Give them some nuts, or a cheesestick, or a piece of turkey before they eat that candy or other treat.

Good luck finding balance and sleep as you trick or treat.