Halloween Tricks or Treats?

   It's time to revisit an old favorite from last year! With Halloween right around the corner, candy is going on sale and will be given in abundance in the coming weeks. Empower yourself with what candies are and are not renal friendly so you can make wise choices.
​   While it may be small, candy can have a large impact on the renal diet. Halloween candy can contain phosphorus and potassium which play an integral role in your kidney function. Additionally, if you have diabetes, it is important to consult with your endocrinologist, dietician, and/or primary care physician to determine what is best for your personal health goals. Below are some general tips and guidelines as well as which candies are tricks and which candies are treats. 

Guidelines to Halloween Candy:

• Moderation is key! The ‘fun size’ portions are approximately 1 ounce which is just right. 
• Sugar free versions of candies are a good substitute. 
• Opt for renal-friendly fruit instead of candy. 

Treats:

• Hard Candies: sour balls, Life Savers, lollipops, candy canes, lemon drops, butterscotch, Werther’s Originals, cinnamon balls, Jolly Ranchers, and Starlight mints
• Gummy Candies: Gummi bears/worms, sour apples, Jujyfruit, jellybeans, and Dots.
• Marshmallow candies: Halloween pumpkins, Rice Krispies treats, and Peeps
• Chewy Candies: Candy corn, Tootsie Rolls, chewing gum, Starburst, and Skittles.
• Chocolate-covered candies: The Three Musketeers, chocolate coffee fondant, York Peppermint Patty, Junior Mints, Skor Toffee bars

Tricks:
Candy can contain higher levels of phosphorus and potassium due to being made with solid chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, coconut, peanut butter, and caramel. 

• Chocolate-covered: nuts, cookies, raisins, pretzels, caramels
• Heath Bars
• Snickers bars
• Almond Joy and Mounds
• Baby Ruth
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Twix
• Butterfingers
• MilkyWay
• Rolo’s Caramels
• Cadbury Chocolate
• Hershey’s Kisses and chocolate bars
• Kit-Kat
• All M&M’s
• Peanut brittle and pralines

Resources:
https://www.kidney.org/content/halloween-fun-kids-kidney-disease
Penny Miclat, RN, Director of Nursing, DialySuites Bartram Park

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