Halloween is one of those holidays that can feel a little complicated when you live with Type One Diabetes. On one hand, it’s filled with fun, excitement, and childhood magic — costumes, friends, pumpkins, and all the candy you can dream of. On the other, it’s sugar, unpredictability, and carb counting chaos.

When my son was first diagnosed, I remember wondering if we could still let him have a “normal” Halloween. I worried about the candy, the highs, the lows, the late-night spikes — all of it. But we have learned that Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for T1D families. It just takes a little planning, a lot of flexibility, and a good sense of humor.

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Our Halloween Game Plan

Our goal is simple: let him be a kid first.
Diabetes doesn’t get to take that away.

Here’s how we make it work:

1. We never go into the night without a plan.
   Before trick-or-treating, we talk about what the night will look like — what time we’ll start, how long and where we’ll go. It helps take the guesswork out and sets realistic expectations.
2. We eat dinner first.
   Always. A balanced dinner with protein and fiber helps stabilize blood sugar before all that walking and excitement. It also keeps the candy cravings (and the numbers) from going wild right away.
3. We pack smart.
   We always bring back-ups of everything with us. No real need for low snack kits because each house holds a new carb we can use. And of course, Scout, our service dog, tags along to keep an extra eye (or nose) on things.
4. We walk a lot!
   Trick-or-treating is actually great for blood sugar. All that movement helps balance out the sweets. We check numbers before we start and then monitor as we go — sometimes his Dexcom alerts, sometimes Scout does.

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Candy Strategy: Keep It Simple

Candy isn’t the enemy. It’s just sugar — and sugar is something we manage every single day.

Here’s what works for us:

• We let him collect everything just like everyone else. The sorting is part of the fun.
• We allow him to eat a few things while we are walking around as he will definitely burn it off going door to door.
• Once we’re home, we then pick a few favorites to enjoy that night — with insulin to match.
• The rest gets sorted into groups:
  • Low Snacks — small, fast-acting candies we keep for actual low blood sugars (Smarties, Skittles, Starburst).
  • Trade/Donate — candy we give to others, trade for small prizes
  • Save for Later — treats we work into meals or special days.

We don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.” Halloween candy is just another thing we dose for — and that mindset makes a big difference.

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Our Favorite Tips & Tricks

• Use technology to your advantage.
  Check the CGM before heading out, during breaks, and again before bed.
• Bolus a little early for candy if it’s part of the plan — that way, insulin timing lines up better with the sugar.
• Skip the guilt. Seriously. Kids deserve joy. They already handle more than most adults ever will.
• Focus on memories, not metrics. It’s one night out of the year — one night of fun, laughter, and childhood magic that they’ll remember long after the candy’s gone.

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Final Thoughts

Halloween with Type One Diabetes is 100% possible — it just takes preparation and perspective. Plan ahead, trust what you know, lean on your tech (and your dog, if you’ve got one), and remember that perfection isn’t the goal — participation is.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the carbs or the candy count. It’s about letting our kids live fully, bravely, and joyfully — even with diabetes along for the ride.

Happy Halloween, friends. You’ve got this. 🎃💙