The equation that frightens Connie Bennett: Halloween + fun = candy.
“Halloween and fun do not equal candy,” Bennett said. “That’s why I consider Halloween truly scary for kids’ health.”
Connie should know. Connie, author of Sugar Shock! How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life – And How You Can Get Back on Track, can tell parents what to do when their kids feel grumpy and sluggish in the 72 ghoulish hours after Halloween.
A sample of Connie’s advice:
 
1.       Make sure your child drinks plenty of water.  Pack a water bottle with them as they go back to school and add 6 oz. of water to each meal.
2.      Feed your child more protein than simple carbs in the next 72 hours.  This will help their bodies re-balance.  (Remember:  Your child will continue to feast on their trick-or-treat bags in the days following the 31st!)
3.      Watch out for the mood swings before and after sugar crashes! Connie recommends a multi-vitamin and offers a list of ways for parents to deal with the “Sugar Brat Syndrome!"
Connie's other words of wisdom:

"In the days that follow Halloween when your kids are recovering from sugar shock, be gentle and compassionate with them.
 
Do NOT get angry at them for disobeying you and pigging out on candies. This kind of sugar overloading is to be expected.
 
Just use the experience to let your kids learn about sugar's dangers. Invite your kids to become Super Sugar Sleuths and Detectives kind of like Nancy Drew. Invite them to watch themselves like lab rats to discover the consequences of their sugar-binging behavior.
 
Begin to teach your kids about sugar shock by showing them the ingredients contained in the candies they indulged on Halloween night.
 
Trade sugary treats for toys. Invite them to swap some candies for fun toys. Tell them that toys last longer and can be more fun and won't give you type 2 diabetes or obesity.
 
Make sure to give your children ample protein, as well as quality carbs and fats, especially for breakfast and in the three days that follow.
 
Get your kids hydrated. Make sure they drink extra water to help flush out the sugar.
 
Don't expect your kids to be rational or as amiable as usual.
 
Anticipate sugar-hangover behavior and such unsettling sugar-shock symptoms such as fatigue, crankiness, crabbiness, mood swings, irrationality, brain fog, anxiety and annoyance at little things."