Halloween is a holiday in which kids and adults celebrate by dressing up like ghosts and goblins, among other characters. While costumes and parties play a huge role in this frightening holiday, candy and sweet treats also take center stage during this spooky time of the year. If you are diabetic, it can be very challenging to avoid foods that have additional sugar in them. Finding healthy alternatives will help keep your blood sugar under control and reduce your risk of diabetic-related complications.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease of the endocrine system. It is estimated that more than 25.8 million Americans have diabetes. Diabetes has three different classifications -- type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 is often referred to as juvenile diabetes and occurs when your body fails to produce insulin. This type of diabetes often occurs and is diagnosed in childhood. With type 1, you will have to follow a healthy diabetic diet and take insulin to manage your blood glucose levels. Type 2 is often referred to as adult onset diabetes. Type 2 is caused by a combination of hereditary traits and poor eating habits. With type 2, your body makes some insulin, but your cells either don't respond to the insulin, or the body doesn't make enough. You might have to take medication such as glucophage to manage your sugar levels. You also can help manage type 2 diabetes with a diet that is low in carbohydrates, sugars and processed foods. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, with blood sugar levels rising to dangerous levels. Insulin therapy might be needed, and blood glucose levels are watched closely throughout the pregnancy to reduce complications.
Risks
Many Halloween foods and treats contain sugar and overall high carbohydrate counts that can significantly raise blood sugar levels. Everything ranging from wrapped sugar-laden candy to baked cookies and cakes can raise blood sugar levels quickly and keep it there for an extended period of time. High blood sugar levels -- even short spikes in blood sugar -- can put you at risk for diabetic-related complications such as heart disease, liver damage, kidney damage, eye disease, high blood pressure, skin breakdown and diabetic neuropathy.
Effects
Short-term effects of a sugar rush caused from your favorite bag of candy include rises in blood glucose levels. The normal range for healthy blood glucose is between 80 and 100 mg/dl. When you consume large amounts of candy, cupcakes or processed carbs, you can easily see your blood sugar levels rise above 120 mg/dl. In someone who does not have diabetes, insulin is released into the bloodstream as soon as glucose begins to build up. With a diabetic, the glucose will remain in the bloodstream as the body tries or fails to release enough insulin to bring levels down to normal.
Alternatives
Choosing to stay away from sugary, processed foods at your next Halloween bash can help keep your diabetes under control. Turn to snacks that include fruits with lower amounts of sugar such as strawberries and pineapple. You can still have a sweet treat on Halloween minus the raw or processed sugar. Fill up on a vegetable platter of raw vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower and celery.
