Tips for Food Allergy-Friendly Trick-or-Treating

(WTAJ) — Trick-or-treating is supposed to be a fun tradition for kids, but for people with food allergies or other dietary restrictions, it could be a terrifying night that results in a hospital visit.

Donna Baughman, a registered dietitian and director of nutritional services at UPMC Altoona, said parents should follow a few tips to keep the evening fun and safe.

She recommends parents talk to their children about their food allergies and remind them not to eat treats until they check the food label for allergens. However, she cautions that just because the full-size candies are safe doesn’t automatically mean the fun-sized versions are Halloween baskets. They may contain allergens due to different manufacturing processes or a change in the candy just for Halloween.

Baughman said one of the best ways to make sure your kids get treats they can eat is to stay close to home.

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“Most of the time, people in your neighborhood know that you have an allergy or that your children have allergies. And so they’re going to, you know, make little bags for kids with allergies,” Baughman said.

For those giving out treats, Baughman recommends handing out something each child can enjoy when they receive it, including small toys, coloring books, stickers or trinkets.

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