Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays for children. Costumes, creativity, and, of course, candy. For parents, however, the excitement can be mixed with anxiety about sugar, behavior changes, or concerns about developing healthy habits. Questions like, “How much candy should I let my child eat?” or “What if they overdo it?” come up every year.

As a dietitian and advocate for intuitive and flexible eating, I believe Halloween is a perfect opportunity to build a healthy, trusting relationship with food rather than manage candy intake. By leaning into Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR) and intuitive eating principles, Halloween can become a teachable (and enjoyable!) moment for both kids and parents.