Kids and families typically celebrate Halloween with lots of candy, but how much is too much candy to eat? ISU Extension and Outreach has the answers.

Extension Food and Nutrition Specialist Ann Parker says Halloween happens once per year and she is okay with kids eating candy during the holiday. 

“It’s okay to encourage the enjoyment of that candy in moderation, and not be too restrictive about what your kids can and cannot eat of the Halloween candy. There’s not really any study or anything that’s going to tell you, ‘Oh, if your child eats too much Halloween candy that they’re going to have any long-term health consequences of that.’ So it’s okay to enjoy a little Halloween candy.”

Parker notes there are other non-food items that households can give to kids as well. Some ideas for items include pencils and spider rings. Parker says offering non-food items helps those children with food allergies.

“In fact, there’s even a, like an initiative that happens each year from the Food Allergy Research and Education Association organization, they do what’s called a Teal Pumpkin Project. So if you put a teal pumpkin outside of your house, that means you’re going to offer some non-food treats as well.”

Parker also reminds parents and guardians to go through your child’s candy and dispose of any unwrapped food because it could be contaminated.