Gluten Free Halloween

Halloween is less than a week away. For most of the little Goblins and Ghouls out there that means a fun filled night of costumes, trick or treating and munching on tasty treats. However, for the child with celiac disease, this night can easily turn into a nightmare!

But Halloween does not have to be an evening filled with trepidation and worry for celiacs and their families. By following these simple tricks, everyone can enjoy a Spell-ta-cular Halloween!!!

1. Direct your child’s attention to other aspects of Halloween. Instead of focusing on the loot they hope to acquire and devour, create some other traditions. For example, have your children help design and make their own costumes or create a haunted house and have the children help you dream up ideas and decorate.

2. As hard as you try to divert your child’s attention from the free flowing massive amounts of salty and sweet snacks being handed out, it is inevitable that they too will want to savor some of these delectable flavors. Make sure you arm yourself with a reliable and updated gluten free candy list. There is one available on www.TheGlutenSolution.com. I cannot stress enough how important it is to research the accuracy of the list you choose to use. During my research, I came across numerous outdated lists that boasted gluten containing confectionaries as safe.

3. Spread the word to friends, family and neighbors. Let people know what candies are safe and hopefully they will be willing to ensure they have safe options for your child. You can even make little baggies of safe treats beforehand and arm your neighbors with them so that your child receives at least a few safe candies.

4. Wear something that has big pockets when trick or treating and fill them with safe gluten free candies. The yummiest treats are always those first few that are nibbled on while skipping from house to house. Make sure that you child can join his/her friends in this tradition. Have a wide variety so they have the pleasure and anguish of trying to decide which Halloween treat to eat first.

5. When sorting your child candies allow them to be involved. Make three piles; safe, not safe and research. From the candies that do not contain enough information to be considered safe, allow your child to pick a few of the really awesome treats and call the manufacturer to see if they are edible.

6. Buy an assortment of gluten free treats and special little gifts your child will enjoy (for example, homemade free movie rental coupons, hockey cards, stickers, etc) that your child will be able to “buy” from you by trading in their gluten containing candy.

7. With the help of your child, come up with an idea of what to do with the gluten containing candy they received. This way, instead of feeling like they are missing out, they can be proud of doing something worthwhile. Donate the candy to a soup kitchen or shelter. Also, in some areas there are Dentists and Doctors that buy Halloween candy from children.

8. Be positive! Having a great attitude and not focusing on the difficulties will help your child to not feel left out. After all, spending quality time with your child is the best treat possible.