Fun and Safe Sugar-Free Halloween Candy for Your Kids

It might surprise you that sugar-free candy isn't all that hard to come by. And that's great, but when you're trying to pick out healthy sugar-free candy for Halloween, you also have to make sure that you choose candy that is safe for children. Sugar-free candies like caramels, hard candy, and cough drops are safe enough for adults, but they're a choking hazard for young children. Heck, they can even be a choking hazard to adults who aren't careful. Another issue I came upon in my quest for safe, sugar-free candy was that most candies use sugar substitutes to replicate the taste of normal, sugary candy. The problem with this is that over consumption of some of these candies can have a flatulent and/or laxative effect. So, after sifting through these requirements, here are the Halloween candies that I deem suitable for kids.

1. Dove's sugar free chocolates
Individually wrapped and easy to find at stores like Target, this product received great reviews. It comes in the following flavors: raspberry, mint, and plain chocolate.

2. Hershey Sugar-free Dark chocolate mini bars
While these sugar-free bars are also available in milk chocolate and caramel, Lisa Cohn, an msnbc.com contributor, explains that dark chocolate is naturally low in sugar and can improve blood sugar levels. Chocolate is a good candy for kids in that it melts easier than hard candies and are easier to break down, so the chances of choking are minimal.

3. Sugar free lollipops
What makes this a really good Halloween candy is not only are these lollipops sugar free, but they are also safe in comparison to candies that kids can more likely choke on.

4. Sugar-free Reese's Pieces cups
These candies are also perfectly safe. However, if you are a parent with a child who has a severe peanut allergy, then make sure they do not come into contact with such candy. Better yet, don't let them go trick or treating and just buy them some candy or snacks that they can safely eat. Take it from someone who has had severe allergic reactions, it's not pretty.

So here's my final word: Halloween is a fun time for kids to dress up and go out with their friends, but you can never be too careful about the candy they eat. It should always be a given that parents go through their kids' bags of candy to make sure they approve. If your kid is a toddler, then you're better off not letting them have the candy. When it comes down to it, it's up to you to keep your kids safe.