I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion in the health, wellness, and fitness world, but hear me out. As a mom to two teenage girls and a health and mindset coach, I understand the growing concerns many parents have about their children’s sugar intake, food dyes, and artificial ingredients, especially around Halloween. There’s a lot of talk in the media lately, with figures like The Food Babe leading the charge to boycott food companies that use harmful dyes and additives. I applaud this effort and believe wholeheartedly that our food industries need to take responsibility for what they put in our food. However, when it comes to Halloween and the “Switch Witch” trend, where parents trade their children’s candy for toys or other non-edible treats, I feel there’s another side of the conversation that needs to be addressed.
The Restriction Dilemma
One of the reasons I don’t support the Switch Witch approach is because of the restrictive mentality it can foster in our kids. Labeling candy as “bad” or something that needs to be swapped out can unintentionally create an unhealthy relationship with food. As parents, it’s natural to want to protect our children from harm, and that includes the negative effects of too much sugar or artificial ingredients. But when we constantly restrict or place a moral value on certain foods, deeming them “bad” or unhealthy, we risk pushing kids toward a mindset of deprivation, which can lead to overeating, guilt, restrictive eating, or even food rebellion as they grow older.
Rather than participating in the Switch Witch or severely limiting candy, I advocate for balance. Yes, encourage healthy eating most of the time, but allow room for indulgences without shame or guilt. Let your kids experience the fun of Halloween without fear of being tricked out of their treats.
The more we emphasize what they can’t have, the more it can create an allure around those very foods. Halloween is a magical time of the year for children, a time of fun, imagination, and indulgence. Shouldn’t we let them enjoy it without the added anxiety about food?
What I advocate for instead is balance. We don’t have to participate in the “all-or-nothing” mentality, and we don’t have to categorize food as “good” or “bad.” As adults, we know that balance is key, and the same goes for our kids. A Halloween candy binge one night isn’t going to undo the overall healthy eating habits we work to instill in our children throughout the rest of the year.
In fact, teaching kids how to manage their Halloween stash, letting them enjoy some on the night of Halloween and then saving the rest for later, can be a more empowering way to guide their choices. It opens the door to conversations about moderation, listening to their bodies, and learning how different foods make them feel.
From a mindset perspective, labeling food in extremes can lead to an unhealthy emotional connection to food. This dichotomy of “good” versus “bad” can follow children into adulthood, where they may feel guilt or shame for indulging in treats. I never want my daughters, or any child, to grow up feeling like they have to earn or redeem their choices when it comes to food.
The way I see it, allowing our kids to enjoy their Halloween candy without the fear of judgment teaches them that food doesn’t hold moral power over us. It’s about removing the shame and guilt often associated with indulgence. Instead, we can teach them about balance, moderation, and self-awareness. When kids learn that food is just food, neither a reward nor a punishment, they are less likely to overindulge in secret or develop unhealthy habits later in life.
My approach is to teach kids how to make food choices that make them feel good, both physically and emotionally. I don’t want my daughters to feel like certain foods are off-limits because that can lead to disordered eating habits down the line. Instead, I focus on teaching them about balance and how to enjoy all foods without fear.
I encourage parents to bring their kids into the process of making healthy food choices. Take them to the grocery store, let them pick out fruits and veggies, and teach them about the benefits of whole grains and proteins. Show them how food can fuel their bodies and minds.
By normalizing all types of food and allowing children to listen to their bodies, we create a healthier relationship with food that lasts a lifetime.
Yes, we should push for better ingredients in our foods. Yes, food dyes, artificial additives, and excessive sugar aren’t good for anyone in large quantities. I stand with the movement calling for change in the food industry, and I’m careful about what I serve at home most of the time, but I will be honest, I have really really relaxed on this since my kids are older and in their teens. Let’s let our kids have fun, indulge a little, and not stress about swapping out candy for toys in an attempt to keep them “healthy.” You can eat insanely “clean” and still be sick and have a very unhealthy mindset and this is what I wish more people would understand.
Candy isn’t the enemy, restriction and shame are. Yes, it is crucial to advocate for better ingredients in our food and teach kids healthy habits, it’s just as important to let them enjoy childhood moments, like trick-or-treating, without turning it into a battleground over food.
So, this Halloween, instead of playing the Switch Witch, let’s teach our children to enjoy treats mindfully and without fear or judgment. It’s the perfect time to model balance, which is one of the greatest gifts we can give them as they grow.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
