The Halloween sugar show – for parents, for children, ProJo

Bags of candy have lined the shelves of markets and pharmacies for weeks now to be certain that on Halloween no one is left sugarless. The debates about big bad sugar continue to rage on. Between the “for” and “against” advocates there may never be a true meeting of the minds. And now the anti-sugar lobby has gleaned more evidence against “The Sweets Monster” from the addictive Oreo cookie study. On Halloween, what are parents to do about sugar-high children? And how can trick-or-treaters keep sugar-dependent parents from their precious stash? Some sensible trick-or-treat tips and advice from pediatric dentist Dr. Glenn Canares, of St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island, can make Halloween a bit happier for parents.
Based on facts and observation, sweets create cravings for more sweets, even in adults. No matter how many times a woman might say, “A minute on the lips, forever on the hips,” few can resist dessert temptation. Even Weight Watchers has come to this realization and packages its own brand of yummies.
There is enough evidence against sugar to ban it from every household in the nation. The United States Department of Agriculture says that on a per capita basis, we consume 31 five-pound bags per year.
Dr. Glenn Canares: Pediatric dentist
While we are so concerned about obesity in children — which indeed has some correlation to sugar intake — parents might also consider ways to mitigate the side effects of sugar on teeth.
Canares says, “I think that the common perception among parents is that the amount of candy eaten is directly proportional to the amount of cavities that are caused. However, it is really about understanding which candy is most harmful, clearing the sugar, and limiting candy eating times.
“The longer the candy is on the teeth, the longer the plaque has fuel to create acid to cause cavities. In general, sticky candies such as taffy and gummies will get stuck in the teeth and take longer to clear away with saliva or water than a non-sticky candy such as a chocolate bar,” he said.
Apparently, the more often someone is eating candy, the less time our natural defenses are protecting our teeth.
“As such, parents should be choosing candy that is not sticky and is easy to clear away from the teeth with water. Also parents should limit the number of times in the day that candy is being eaten. In this way our kids’ natural saliva defenses can work for them. It’s relatively better to eat more candy in one sitting than to eat a little candy multiple times a day,” says Canares.
As for the immediate Halloween problem, here are some thoughts from mothers.
Candy taxes:  One young mother told me that when she was growing up, after trick-or-treating her mother would have them empty their sacks. She would sort through it and say, “First you pay your taxes.” They grew up thinking that taxes were Snickers bars that went to the head of household.
 Toys for candy:  Parents might buy small gifts that their children may have been coveting. Then on Halloween night, the children pay for the toys with pieces of candy. The new Matchbox car might be three pieces of chocolate. Barbie dolls, six pieces.
Hide and seek: This is a twist on the Easter egg hunt. Trick-or-treaters can be asked to help wrap candy in Halloween bags. Then adult and children can decide how many bags get hidden for a treasure hunt that might be stretched out for several weekends.
Parents addicted to chocolate?
As for parents addicted to chocolate, follow your heart. The dark chocolate study in the British Medical Journal last year said that one piece a day — about 3.5 ounces for 10 years — might keep the doctor at bay by decreasing the risk of cardiac events.
What about these studies? Based on statistical standards, many sugar studies do meet the tests for validity and reliability, which brings me to the Oreo cookie study. It was done by students at Connecticut College. It seems that this innocent looking confection can be as addictive as cocaine — to rats — who preferred the Oreos to drugs.
What is the moral to the sugar story? Moderation, education, and thoughtful consumption. Happy Halloween.
Rita Watson, M.P.H., is a Journal columnist. In the spirit of full disclosure, from one fully schooled in epidemiological studies,  she admits:
“If I bring a pint of Cherry Garcia into the house, I feel compelled to eat it immediately. And I won’t even try to resist a Federal Hill cannoli or two. Then there is the hot flourless chocolate cake and Bailey’s chocolate mousse at McBride’s, the hazelnut torte at the Brown Faculty Club, and my grandmother’s tiramisu. As for those addictive Oreo cookies, unlike the munching lab rats, I do not eat the filling first.”