This Halloween year we did something different. Instead of just not allowing my son to consume the candy that contained gluten or corn starch / protein (HFCS is so refined that the proteins do not survive) and limiting the dairy, we gave him only candy that was gluten-free, dairy-free (within reason as low levels of dairy seem to have no effect) corn protein-free and free of all the preservatives, additives and dyes that have a demonstrated negative impact on ADHD.
In other words, he had to turn in virtually everything that he collected and in trade he got three new video games, Surf Sweets gummi bears, Justin’s dark peanut butter cups and a few Tootsie Rolls. The Tootsie Rolls do contain artificial flavors and milk proteins so they do not have a real future at our home, but as this was the first year, it was my one breakdown as Tootsie Rolls are local, gluten-free, nut-free, dye-free and preservative-free. They do have some natural and artificial flavors and are made from soy and corn that is almost certainly GMO, but I applaud the mere fact that they are moving the dial in the direction of real food. A commercial candy with only one completely fake ingredient is rare.
Now before you feel too sorry for him he ate a LOT of candy. What he collected trick or treating went either back into our bin (we live in an area where 300 trick or treaters is a slow year) or into a charity collection drive bag. In exchange he could eat his fill of the safe sugary junk.
The reason I banned all the standard candy (except Tootsie Rolls) is because most of it contains ingredients that are poorly defined (artificial flavors? Which ones) or are banned in the EU. Skittles, Starburst, M&Ms and most other colorful candy contain dyes that are banned due to links to cancer, ADHD and other problems. Reese’s contain TBHQ which is less controversial, but made from butane, surprisingly explosive and also banned. Hershey bars contain PGPR so that they don’t need to contain cocoa butter. Almost all the bars, including Snickers, contained artificial flavors.
Every year I get a little more aware and every year the candy choices get a little healthier. I don’t ever plan for Halloween to be sugar-free or candy-free…that would take away the magic of the day.
I just want real sugar and real candy. Made out of food.
Is it really that hard?
