“Healthy treats on Halloween ruin the fun.”

Halloween is Saturday, and a lot of parents and neighbors are deciding what goes in the bowl. Some hand out dye-free candy, raisins, or non-food items. Others say candy is the whole point of the night. Dietitians generally agree one night of candy is fine, and some dentists say the same. The disagreement is over whether swapping in “healthy” treats makes the night better for kids or takes the fun out of it.

Alice Hoang, general dentist and founder of Brooklyn Mint Dental (agrees): “Candy, in moderation, is not a moral failing. Some of my favorite memories of childhood were trading candies and eating them before bed. Enjoy it. You are only young once!” Rachael DeVaux, registered dietitian (disagrees): “I like to be mindful of the type of candy that I’m giving out to trick-or-treaters.” Kaitlin McKenzie, registered oncology dietitian at Hackensack Meridian Health (middle): “Children can still have the fun and experience of collecting candy with their friends but at the end of the night they swap their basket for a new toy, a movie theater ticket, or maybe an ice cream sundae.”