Credit score: Pixabay/CC0 Public Area
Stroll by means of any grocery store at the moment of yr and you may see cabinets stacked with Halloween treats. Halloween and sweet go hand in hand, however what does all that sugar actually imply for youngsters?
The World Well being Group recommends that “free sugars” (sugar that’s added to meals, plus sugars naturally current in honey, syrups and fruit juices) make up lower than 10% of whole power consumption, and ideally underneath 5%. That is roughly not more than 10g per day for ages 1–2, 14g for ages 2–3, 19g for ages 4–6, 24g for ages 7–10, and 30g for ages 11+.
To place that in perspective, a small biscuit incorporates round 4g of sugar, a treat-sized bag of sweets about 13g, and a single lollipop roughly 10g. A profitable trick-or-treat haul can simply push a toddler previous their really helpful every day restrict a number of instances over.
Dad and mom typically hear well-meaning recommendation from buddies and kinfolk about sugar highs, crashes and stressed nights. However analysis exhibits that the larger concern is not what occurs after a one-off binge, it is what occurs when kids recurrently exceed these limits. So let’s unpack some frequent beliefs.
1. Sugar makes youngsters hyper
Regardless of its persistence, this fable would not maintain up scientifically. Analysis finds little connection between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in kids. The concept largely stems from expectation bias: when dad and mom count on sugar to trigger excitable conduct, they’re extra prone to understand it.
Youngsters are naturally energetic, and sugar is commonly consumed at events, throughout trick-or-treating, or at different thrilling occasions—so the parable reinforces itself.
For instance, in a single research, all kids obtained a sugar-free drink, however half the dad and mom have been informed it contained sugar. These dad and mom rated their kids as considerably extra hyperactive, though no sugar had been consumed.
2. Sugar highs
The “sugar rush” is one other fable. Sugar does present fast power, however the physique tightly regulates blood glucose ranges, so there is not a real “high”.
Research present that carbohydrates, together with sugar, are usually not related to temper enhancements after consumption.
3. Sugar crashes
This one has somewhat extra reality to it. After consuming sweets, blood sugar rises rapidly, then falls again to regular—and generally barely beneath regular.
These fluctuations are a part of regular physiology and do not persistently trigger noticeable results.
In adults, carbohydrate consumption has been linked to elevated fatigue and decreased alertness inside an hour after consuming, however these results differ extensively and are sometimes delicate.
4. They will not sleep tonight
The proof right here is combined. One small research discovered that 8–12-year-olds had extra night time wakings after a high-sugar drink earlier than mattress, whereas one other in toddlers discovered no short-term results. Total, there isn’t any robust proof {that a} one-off sugar binge dramatically impacts sleep.
Pleasure, later bedtimes, and social stimulation round occasions like Halloween in all probability play a much bigger function.
The long-term image, nevertheless, is clearer. A meta-analysis discovered that top sugar consumption in kids is linked with shorter sleep length. One other research of two-year-olds discovered that frequent consumption of sentimental drinks, snacks, and quick meals (typically excessive in sugar) was related to extra night time wakings and poorer sleep, whereas kids who ate extra greens slept higher. If solely youngsters discovered carrots as tempting as sweet.
It could actually additionally develop into a vicious cycle: poor sleep will increase kids’s longing for sugary meals, resulting in increased sugar consumption, which can additional disrupt sleep. Over time, this loop can take an actual toll.
5. For those who prohibit them, they’re going to simply need it extra
There’s some proof that fully banning sweets could make kids want them extra—however that is about whole prohibition, not setting boundaries.
In truth, analysis exhibits that kids whose dad and mom set constant limits on sugary meals do not develop stronger candy preferences, and truly devour much less sugar general than kids with extra permissive dad and mom.
Dad and mom have an enormous affect over consuming habits by deciding what meals can be found at house. Let’s be sincere: youngsters aren’t fascinated with metabolic well being. They only know sweets style good.
One night time of Halloween indulgence will not trigger lasting hurt. The actual concern is recurring overconsumption.
Historic knowledge from folks uncovered to sugar rationing in the course of the Second World Warfare means that decrease sugar consumption in childhood (and even in utero) is linked to lowered dangers of diabetes and hypertension later in life.
Fashionable research agree: excessive intakes of added sugars in childhood are related to elevated weight problems, heart problems, kind 2 diabetes, and even cognitive and emotional points similar to nervousness and despair.
And, after all, frequent sugar consumption additionally damages tooth.
Excessive-sugar diets are usually low in vitamins too, particularly worrying for youthful kids with smaller appetites. When sweets and different energy-dense, nutrient-poor meals substitute greens, fruits, complete grains, or dairy, kids miss out on important vitamins like nutritional vitamins, fiber, and calcium.
This turns into much less of a difficulty in adolescence, when rising appetites can accommodate occasional treats alongside a balanced weight loss plan.
Sensible ideas for fogeys and guardians
Earlier than heading out to events or trick-or-treating, serve a balanced meal so kids aren’t beginning the night hungry: a full abdomen makes it simpler to withstand overindulging later.
For youthful kids, it will possibly assist to set limits on what number of treats they acquire, whereas for older ones, rationing sweets over a number of days can hold sugar consumption in examine with out making them really feel disadvantaged. Above all, keep in mind that wholesome consuming habits are constructed steadily. It is the on a regular basis selections that matter most, not one night time of pleasure and sweets.
So sure—allow them to take pleasure in Halloween. The occasional sugar rush (actual or imagined) is not the issue. It is what occurs each different day of the yr that actually counts.
Supplied by
The Dialog
This text is republished from The Dialog underneath a Artistic Commons license. Learn the unique article.
Quotation:
5 scary myths about sugar this Halloween, by a nutritionist (2025, October 25)
retrieved 25 October 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2025-10-scary-myths-sugar-halloween-nutritionist.html
This doc is topic to copyright. Other than any truthful dealing for the aim of personal research or analysis, no
half could also be reproduced with out the written permission. The content material is supplied for info functions solely.
