Dietitian provides solutions for individuals with allergies this Halloween

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Halloween is this upcoming Friday, and trick-or-treating will begin, but for some, treats may be hard to come by.

For many kids who celebrate Halloween, their allergies can be a struggle. Instead of being afraid of ghosts and monsters, kids have to fear what candy they might get when they go door-to-door.

According to the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, 1 in 13 children in America possesses food allergies.

News-Press NOW met with Dietitian Jessica Smith to explore alternative options and tips for trick-or-treaters this Halloween.

"The first thing I would recommend is don't eat your candy when you're doing your walk. And then take it back home and make sure that you are choosing those products that are labeled as an allergy-friendly food," said Smith.

Smith also recommends that houses start participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

The project uses a teal pumpkin to signify an allergy-friendly house and will either have safe treats or non-food items.

Smith recommends that instead of having peanut butter Reese's, people can offer free2b sunflower butter sun cups.

Allergy-friendly foods like the free2b sun cups will often have an allergy-friendly logo on the wrapper or box.