EAST REGION (October 21, 2026) - Halloween can be a scary time for more than just ghosts and goblins. For parents, the real fright arrives after trick-or-treating, when piles of candy line kitchen counters and kids reach for those sugary treats all day.

The concern is valid. The American Heart Association recommends children ages 2 and older consume no more than 25 grams, or about six teaspoons, of added sugar daily. Just a few fun-size candies can quickly add up – they can have about 18 grams of added sugars (about 4 teaspoons), putting many children near or over that limit.

But Halloween candy doesn't have to be a horror story, according to Marsha Woolery, a registered dietitian who works in the clinical nutrition department at Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital.

"Halloween is meant to be fun, and candy can absolutely be part of the celebration," Woolery said. "The key is teaching moderation and helping children develop a healthy relationship with treats rather than making them feel forbidden."

Here’s four smart ways to eat Halloween candy:

Woolery's recommends serving candy alongside meals, which contain protein.

"Think of Halloween candy as dessert, not as a snack that's eaten all day long," Woolery said. "When candy is eaten with protein-rich foods such as nuts, cheese or Greek yogurt, digestion slows down and blood sugar tends to rise more gradually."

According to Woolery, protein helps slow the absorption of sugars and carbohydrates, helping prevent the rapid spike-and-crash effect that often follows eating sweets by themselves.

Once the trick-or-treat bags come home, Woolery encourages dividing candy into smaller portions rather than giving children unlimited access.

"I tell parents to create little treat bags with a set number of pieces for each day," she said. "When that day's candy is gone, it's gone."

Pre-portioned servings help children learn moderation while reducing the temptation to overeat.

Halloween candy also shouldn't linger in the household indefinitely. Instead, parents should establish expectations from the beginning.

"Tell children ahead of time that Halloween candy is available for a certain period, for example one week or a designated timeframe that works for your family," she said.

The goal is not restriction but structure that allows children to enjoy treats and then return to normal eating habits.

For leftover candy, Woolery suggests incorporating small amounts into more nutritious snacks.

“You still get the fun flavor of Halloween candy, but you're also adding fiber, protein and other nutrients that help create a more balanced snack," Woolery said.

One example is homemade trail mix made with whole-grain cereal, nuts and dried fruit, with a few pieces of candy mixed in for sweetness.

Families looking to offer alternatives to traditional candy can still offer treats that satisfy a sweet tooth while adding some nutritional value.

Woolery recommends:

"These options can provide nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals while still feeling like a treat," Woolery said. "The goal isn't perfection. One night of trick-or-treating isn't what impacts long-term health," she said. "It's the habits we practice every day. When families approach Halloween with balance and moderation, everyone can enjoy the holiday without the sugar scare."

A few simple strategies can help families keep the focus on costumes, memories and fun, not a weeklong sugar overload.

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $15 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.