How To Give a Bountiful and Boo-Worthy Candy Haul That's Healthier and Safer

As a mama who strives to make better choices for my family year round, I've been frustrated in years past when it comes to finding a balance of avoiding all that's unsafe for my son's body (food dyes, artificial flavoring, and ingredients I just don't feel great about such as gluten, dairy or possible GMO ingredients) and allowing him to feel like he got to have a fun holiday. 

Now, we are BIG promoters that holidays are NOT about candy. That they aren't about food or treats in general, but as he gets older and participates with family and friends, I do allow him to have fun and have some treats. Thus the inspiration for this post. 

I wanted parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone who will be treating kids to candy this season to a guide to all of my favorites as well as a couple of tips to keep your kids safe. 

Safer Candy + Treat Options
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• ZOLLIPOPS
  Sugar-free, gluten-free and GOOD FOR KIDS TEETH, these amazing candies are the brainchild of kidpreneur Alina Morse. Her line includes lollipops, candy drops and taffy. 
  
  
  
• BLACK FOREST
  If you, like me, are a Gummy Bear fan, Black Forest offers Gummy Bears (in traditional and exotic flavors) and Gummy Worms that are free of artificial colors, gluten or dairy. They are also organic and come in individual wrapped packages, perfect for trick or treating. 
  
  
  
• YUM EARTH
  My dad is the biggest black licorice fan I know and the taste for it passed down to our son. Yum Earth offers organic, gluten free black licorice and fun flavored lollipops (like peach and pomegranate!). They are also allergen friendly and dye free! 
  
  
  
• WHOLESOME
  For the Swedish Fish fan, Wholesome offers Organic DelishFish - they are vegan and free of food dye. 
  
  
  
• SMART SWEETS
  ​A fun one for kiddos, Smart Sweets created their own version of a Sour Patch Kid and Swedish Fish, each with only 3 grams of sugar!
  
  
  
• ENJOY LIFE
  Your go-to for chocolate bars - because what kid doesn't love full size and mini size candy bars? Our favorite is the Rice Milk Crunch, but they are also available in rice milk and dark chocolate. 
  
  
  
• JUSTINS
  Clean Peanut Butter Cups. Enough said. 
  
  
  
• OCHO
  When I was a kid Almond Joys were my absolute FAVORITE. If my Halloween haul included these babies, I was a happy little girl. Now that we are a dairy free family that is concious of ingredients, I was ecstatic to find Ocho's almond and coconut bars. Made with dairy free dark chocolate, and a much purer taste, I'll be sneaking a few of these for myself. 
  
  
  
• FREE2B
  For those that can't have peanut, and even if you CAN tolerate peanut I HIGHLY suggest trying these, Free2B makes nut-allergy safe SunCups. Sunbutter Cups in Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. 
  
  
  
• LITTLE SECRETS
  Food-dye free, allergen friendly M&M and Reeses Peeses style candies? SIGN. ME. UP. Keep an eye on the labels, as some DO have milk, but not all! I found a dairy-free dark chocolate variety that hits the spot! Perfect to put out in ceramic pumpkins and cauldrons at parties, these are the perfect size treat to indulge just a little. 
  
  
  
• COCOMELS
  Is your favorite childhood candy the Milk Dud? Cocomels makes dairy-free, allergen friendly chocolate covered balls of coconut milk caramel goodness. They also have individually wrapped coconut milk caramels in various flavors. 
  
  
  
• ALTER ECO
  Truffles are the grown trick or treaters delight. While the kiddos are rummaging through their sweet and safe trick or treat swaps, parents can unwrap an Alter Eco Truffle. 
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Tips To Making Holiday Treat Safety Easy
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• SWAP THE BAG
  Our number one post trick or treating tip is the bag swap. Because we only allow candy from the above list, we have a bag with a mix of the above varieties ready to go to swap out. We get rid of all candy gathered while out (never worth the risk to us) and he's safe to sample as he wishes from our provided mix. 
  
  
• TAKE A FEW PIECES/BAGS OUT WITH YOU
  When we are trick or treating, I always stash a few safe lollipops or gummies, so that when Grey's family or friends are sampling their candy haul along the way, I can give him one to have as well. 
  
  
• LET FELLOW PARENTS/PARTY HOSTS KNOW YOUR ALLERGIES
  If your child will be trick or treating with others, or will be going to a party, let the host or parents know your childs allergies so that can make sure to keep them safe and not allow them to be exposed to allergens. 
  
  
• PLACE A TEAL PUMPKIN ON YOUR PORCH
  This is a Non-Food option. By placing a Teal Pumpkin on your porch, you are letting trick or treaters and their families know you support food allergy families and will provide a non-food item for their trick or treaters. 
  
  
• KEEP IT ON HAND
  In our home, we always keep a few of these brands on hand. While we aren't a bigger sugar household daily, there ARE special occasions where chocolate, gummy worms or caramels come in handy. From preschool crafts to baking dishes, hot cocoa mornings or game nights with friends, its always good to have something on hand that we can feel good about eating.