Stomach pain, sugar crash, headache and fatigue are all symptoms of a Halloween Hangover.
Experts agree too much candy is not good for you or your kids. ʺPlaque bacteria eats sugar and turns it into acid, which can lead to cavities,ʺ explains Dr. Scott Hamilton, an orthodontist in Topeka, Kansas.
Also, too much candy also means too many calories. ʺExcess calories contribute to obesity. And, if your child is eating the candy instead of healthy foods, he’s missing out on essential nutrients,ʺ says Dr. Marilyn Swanson, national program leader for maternal and child health at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas.
According to the book, The Sugar Fix: The High-Fructose Fallout That is Making You Fat and Sick, by Richard J. Johnson, MD, filling up on sweets often leads to an upset stomach. If you have been experiencing unexplained digestive problems, fructose might be the cause. Some people absorb fructose less efficiently than others.
People who have difficulty digesting the fructose in sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners, suffer from fructose malabsorption or dietary fructose intolerance. Fructose malabsorbtion causes a variety of gastrointestinal problems, including constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, cramps and flatulence.
Dr. Johnson also states that bacteria can convert fructose to compounds called ketoacids. In rare cases, ketoacids could cause the blood to become dangerously acidic, a condition which can lead to rapid breathing, confusion and other symptoms.
Recent research suggests fructose may be one cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects up to one in five Americans. A recent University of Iowa study states more than one-third of people with IBS-like symptoms had dietary fructose intolerance.
Also, the Feingold Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults apply proven dietary techniques, says synthetic food dyes in candy are some of the most likely suspects when it comes to triggering behavior problems in children.
For decades allergists have reported that food dyes can trigger reactions like hives and swelling in sensitive people. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs has found that they can cause respiratory problems. Researchers have shown that food dyes can bring about many behavior problems, even when children eat only a small amount.
The organization also recommends avoiding petroleum dyes and not let the kids overdo or eat sweets on an empty stomach.
The Feingold Organization also recommends these natural candy alternatives:
• Pearson's Mints
• Valomilk Cups
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Squares with Mint Filling
• Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
• Canel's Milk Lollipops
• Linette peanut butter cups
• Florida's Natural Au'some Fruit Juice String
• Florida’s Au'some Fruit Juice Nuggets (Strawberry, Blueberry, Apple/Cranberry and Orange)
Sources:
The Sugar Fix: The High-Fructose Fallout That is Making You Fat and Sick, by Richard J. Johnson, MD
http://www.care2.com
http://www.feingold.org/halloween2.html
http://holidays.kaboose.com/halloween/candy-overdose.html