Trick-or-treating on Halloween usually creates a sense of wonder and excitement for children as they anticipate what they are about to receive from each home. However, for those with special dietary needs, the feeling can be hushed by the constant concern if there will be anything they can eat.

Many mainstream candies do not sit well with the tummies of children who are vegan, gluten-free, or have allergies, but every home can do its part to make these children feel more included.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Jill Patterson says it is beneficial to have alternative treats available for children, and even adults, during Halloween because it allows everyone to actively participate in the fun without feeling left out.

Vegan Candy

For vegan needs, the candy must not have any animal or insect products, which includes eggs; dairy; honey; gelatin (which is produced with animal skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and/or bones); carmine color (which is red pigment from the crushed female Cochineal insect); and confectioner’s glaze (which is made from the sticky excretions of insects).

Popular candies like Smarties, Airheads, Dots, Dum-Dums lollipops, Fireballs, Hubba Bubba Bubblegum, and Jolly Ranchers are listed as vegan by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and can be found in most supermarkets.

Other treats that are considered vegan include Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, Sour Patch Kids, SweeTarts, Twizzlers, Red Vines, Skittles, Ring Pops, Laffy Taffy, Nerds, Fun Dip, and Swedish Fish — along with many more.

Gluten-Free Candy

“People with Celiac disease need to not have wheat products because of the way it interacts in their body,” Ms Patterson explained. The candy must be made without certain ingredients like wheat, rye, oat, barley, or buckwheat.

Some gluten-free candy options that the Celiac Disease Foundation lists on its “2018 Gluten-Free Halloween Treat List” are Almond Joys, Mounds Bars, Heath Bars, Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate, Baby Ruth, Bit-O-Honey, Peeps, and Jelly Belly beans.

Allergy-Free Candy

Companies are now marketing products with labels like “allergy free” or “allergy friendly” to easily indicate to consumers that the candy does not include any of the top eight most common allergens.

The Mayo Clinic cites the top eight allergens to be milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

“In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers to list the eight most common ingredients that trigger food allergies… information about food allergies has to be written in simple terms that adults and older children can understand,” The Mayo Clinic explains in its article titled “Food allergies: Understanding food labels.”

Big Y World Class Market in Newtown currently sells the Enjoy Life brand that is marketed as allergy friendly. The candies are on a separate table with blue pumpkins near the main Halloween candy displays, located by the customer service desk. The pumpkins are part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, a movement to raise awareness about food allergies and promote all trick-or-treaters being included on Halloween.

Caraluzzi’s Markets representative Nancy Mengler says its stores have “some great allergen-friendly and all-natural options like Surf Sweets, Yum Earth, and Justin’s,” in addition to favorite classic candies and snack packs. The selection of Halloween candy at Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market is located on displays at the front of the store by the registers and in the back of the store by the frozen food aisles.

Moderation Is Key

“With any of the candies, we want to remember that they are candy and to have them in moderation and to focus on the food groups to get our nutrients,” Ms Patterson said.

There is no recommended daily portion size for how to best divvy a child’s candy hauls after Halloween, she says, but if a child is reaching their food group needs, then having a piece or two of candy is ideal.

Alternatives To Candy

When looking for a treat, it does not always have to be sweet. Many stores carry packets of pretzels that are perfect for a non-sugary option.

Granola bars are another alternative to candy for Halloween that comes in regular size and mini. Depending on the brand, granola bars can fit a variety of dietary needs — like the allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free brand Made Good.

For Halloween-themed parties, Ms Patterson says there are “fun, nutrient-rich choices” that can be created as a healthy alternative to candy.

By pealing a clementine or tangerine, the fruit can instantly look like a mini pumpkin by adding a short piece of celery on top to act as the stem.

Party hosts can even make a plate full of small ghosts by chopping bananas in half at the width and pushing three chocolate chips into the side of each piece to create the appearance of two eyes and a mouth.

The spookiest part of these Halloween goodies will not be the ghosts themselves — but how fast children and adults alike will gobble them up.