Halloween Carb Counting:

Why Halloween carb counting can be tricky

Halloween is packed with small, tempting portions of sweets, chocolate, and baked goods. The problem is that “fun-size” doesn’t always mean “low carb”. Those little treats can add up fast, especially when there’s a bowl sitting on the counter, or you’re dipping into the leftovers after the trick-or-treaters have gone!

It’s not about avoiding everything; it’s about awareness. Understanding how many carbs are in the foods you eat helps you make informed choices, whether that means adjusting insulin, spacing out treats, or swapping higher-carb foods for lower-carb options.

Common Halloween treats and their carbs

Just a few small items can easily reach 30–50g of carbs, roughly equivalent to 2-3 slices of bread.

Tips for smarter Halloween snacking

Here are some practical ways to keep Halloween treats enjoyable and balanced:

1. Plan Ahead

If you know you’ll have a few sweets later, consider how they’ll fit into your meals that day. For example, you might swap out a high-carb snack earlier in the afternoon to leave some room for an evening treat. You could also incorporate lower-carb snacks, such as a handful of unsalted mixed nuts.

2. Weigh and Compare

Using the Carbs & Cals app makes this super easy, just search for your favourite sweets or scan the barcode to see their carb content and compare portion sizes. If the barcode is not found, try out our new AI food label scanner to quickly capture the nutrition info and save it as a custom food for next time.

3. Keep Portions Mini

Instead of eating several fun-size bars, try one or two and savour them. It can help to tip a few treats into a small bowl rather than eating straight from the bag.

4. Remember to take insulin/bolus for snacks

If you take quick-acting insulin, remember that you may need to take an extra injection/bolus (if on a pump) for snacks. Knowing the carb content and keeping track of what you are eating will help with accuracy and reduce the likelihood of blood glucose spikes.

5. Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to mistake thirst for hunger, especially with lots of snacking around. Keep a water bottle nearby to avoid unnecessary munching.

Healthy Halloween swaps

If you’re hosting a party or handing out treats, here are a few ideas that are still fun but a bit lighter on carbs:

• Mini bags of popcorn (salted) instead of sweets
• Mini cheese portions or savoury crackers
• Mandarin oranges with funny “pumpkin faces” drawn on the peel
• Dark chocolate squares (lower sugar than milk chocolate)
• Fruit skewers with grapes, strawberries and melon balls
• Roasted chickpeas or pumpkin seeds for a savoury crunch

These are also great options for anyone with type 2 diabetes who wants to join in the fun without too much added sugar.