Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids (and lots of adults). But if you’re a child with food allergies, or the parent of a child with food allergies, it can be a time of stress and even disappointment. Here are a few things you can do to make it safe for all kids to have a spooktacular Halloween this year.
1. Make allergy-friendly treats for parties and gatherings
The easiest, kid-approved, and healthiest snacks are always fruit. Try turning peeled Mandarin oranges into pumpkins with a thin sliver of celery poked into the top for the stem, or see how apple slices held together with sunbutter and raisins become a ghoulish grin. Get creative with fresh ingredients to keep your party healthy and safe.
2. Avoid chocolate candies
Chocolate-based candies are one of the most likely candies to cause a reaction in people with allergies to foods such as milk or nuts. Even plain chocolate bars can be made in a factory where nuts are also processed, leading to cross-contamination. Yet there are many delicious candies you can offer besides chocolate like organic, dye-free jelly beans or organic lollipops free of artificial dyes, gluten, nuts, soy, dairy and wheat.
3. Join the Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project began in 2014, created by the Food Allergy Research & Education non-profit group. You can let kids with allergies and parents of kids with allergies know that you are passing out non-food items to trick-or-treaters by placing a teal-painted pumpkin on your porch, walkway or driveway. Pencils, erasers, stickers, bubbles and small inexpensive toys all make great treats. The treat you’ll be giving parents, the gift of peace of mind, is truly priceless.
