Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Right behind it come two Church days: All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on Monday, November 2. That is three days in a row of costumes, candy and remembering. It is a good week to settle on a plan before the pillowcase comes through the door.

This plan does not turn candy into a fight. It also does not pretend the sugar does not count.

One night is not the problem

Many Texas kids meet sugar every day, long before Halloween. The UTHealth Dell Center reports that 78% of school-aged children in Texas had at least one sugar-sweetened beverage in a day, using 2021 to 2023 survey data. That number counts drinks only. It does not count candy.

The American Heart Association says kids over 2 should limit added sugar to about 6 teaspoons a day. A full trick-or-treat bag is far beyond that, which is why a plan helps.

Here is the hopeful part. Halloween comes once a year, and how your family eats the rest of the time has a more lasting effect than a few days of extra treats. A messy Saturday night does not undo your family’s habits.

Before you go out

• Give your child a good meal before trick-or-treating. The AAP says this discourages sampling along the way.
• Wait until you are home to sort the treats. Throw away anything spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious.
• If your child has a food allergy, bring the prescribed emergency medicine, such as an epinephrine auto-injector, and make sure the adults with them know what to do.
• Babies and toddlers should not have hard candy, gum, small candies or gummy candy. Wrappers, stickers and small toys can be choking hazards too.

After you get home: three simple rules

1. Say the number before you leave. Talk ahead of time about how much candy there will be and how it will be handled at home. The AAP suggests you ration treats for the days and weeks after and keep candy rules realistic, consistent and positive. Pick a number your family can actually keep, then keep it.

2. Put candy with a meal. The American Dental Association explains that a little candy with a meal, or right after, helps because the extra saliva rinses away leftover candy and cavity-causing acids. Brushing afterward finishes the job.

3. Keep candy neutral. Mayo Clinic Press notes that studies show strict limits on certain foods can lead to more thoughts about them. It also advises not using food as a reward or punishment. Try “finish your homework, then we will take a walk” instead of “finish your homework and you get candy.” Know how much your child has collected, and keep it out of the bedroom, where it is too easy to reach.

If your child eats too much on Saturday, that is not a failure. Start again Sunday morning with breakfast.

Three days, one small habit each

Why the Church puts these days together

Halloween means “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before All Saints. Catholic Culture describes it as the start of a November focused on the Communion of Saints.

The Catechism gives that phrase a plain picture. Some of Christ’s disciples are pilgrims on earth, others have died and are being purified, and still others are in glory. The Church sees all of them as one family. Praying for the dead is part of that, and so is telling stories about the people we love.

For a child, that can be simple. On Sunday you might talk about the saint they are named after. On Monday you might put a photo of a grandparent on the table and tell one funny story. Add a small portion of that person’s favorite food if you like. None of this needs candy.

If your family keeps Día de los Muertos, you are already doing this. The Bend’s list of things to do in Corpus Christi for October 23 to 25 includes a Día de los Muertos Festival and Halloween parties. Check the event details before you go.

Whether or not your family keeps these days, the plan works the same way. Decide ahead of time, feed everyone first, keep the rules calm, and make room for one story at the table.

Where Ignite Fit comes in

Ignite Fit is our free family fitness and nutrition program for children in Corpus Christi. It is built around the same idea as this plan: small habits your family can keep up, with no shame about one big weekend. Sessions open and close in prayer. Families are invited, never required, and you do not need to be Catholic to take part.

Season One dates will be announced soon. Your next step is to read about how an Ignite Fit session works on the Ignite Fit page of our website. Before Saturday, pick your candy number and tell your kids what it is.

This post is general information, not medical advice. If your child has food allergies, diabetes or dental concerns, ask your child’s doctor or dentist about a plan that fits.