Halloween Reflections from Teen Corner

Cadence

Halloween is always a nerve-wracking time for people with food allergies, but I have had many wonderful experiences as the awareness for food allergies has expanded.

Every Halloween my family and I strategically plan to buy allergy-friendly candy, and also non-food items to hand out. This helps others, but also myself to ensure our safety. I normally hand-out candy/items to people. Before we hand out the candy we separate the candy into different buckets based on certain allergens. We have specific buckets for chocolate, candy without the top allergens, and non-food items. When I’m handing out the candy I specifically tell the kids which candy is which. My neighborhood is very large, and we have lots of kids that come to our house with allergies. It is really rewarding to see how excited kids with food allergies, like me, get when they realize candy or items are available to them.

Now, don’t get me wrong I do love to trick-or-treat! The best experience I’ve had with allergies during trick-or-treating was at Disney! Halloween at Disney is already spectacular, but the allergen service makes it even more amazing! At every trick-or-treating spot there was an allergen chip. We turned in the chip and got a whole bag of allergen-free candy! It was so special and I felt included the whole time!

Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be scary! Being aware, but helping others to be safe is a rewarding experience for all!

Amari

I am currently leading a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) project focused on the Teal Pumpkin Project. Teal is a color that represents food allergy awareness. A teal pumpkin on a doorstep means that non-food treats are available for trick-or-treaters.

Last year, I delivered teal pumpkins filled with non-food treats to twelve elementary and middle schools, two dentists, and my pediatrician. I received positive feedback about how much it meant for students with food allergies to feel seen and be included. My effort also inspired others to participate; for example, one teacher even offered to contribute Halloween-themed Pokemon and NFL card packs as allergy-friendly treats to a teal pumpkin. Also, a principal let me know that she added a teal bucket at her home with non-food items for trick-or-treaters.

This encouragement inspired me to lead a TAG project this year to collaborate with teens across the nation to spread the word about the Teal Pumpkin Project. Our team of twenty-two teens is focused on distributing teal pumpkins in our communities, partnering with schools, libraries, YMCAs, and local organizations with the goal of making Halloween safer and more inclusive for children with food allergies.

It has been incredibly inspiring to see how a simple teal pumpkin can create a Halloween experience where every single child feels included.

Celine

In my house, we celebrate Halloween a little differently. My brother has food allergies, and we have created new traditions to make the holiday safe and fun for our entire family.

One tradition is our Halloween pinata. We have a pinata filled with food treats that are safe for us. It also includes non-food treats like pencils, stickers, and stamps. It is always a blast to hit the piñata and eventually watch all of the treats fall. Another tradition is on Halloween morning my mom gives us special Halloween buckets filled with safe treats.

We go trick-or-treating so we can wear our Halloween costumes, but we do not keep the candy that is not safe for us. My parents allow us to trade it in for treats that are safe for us or non-food treats. I did learn that some dentists collect candy or even offer Halloween candy buyback programs!

I have friends with food allergies, and it is important to me to help make sure Halloween is a holiday everyone can participate in. That is why I joined the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) project on the Teal Pumpkin Project. Together, our team is helping more kids feel included on Halloween.

Being an ally to my brother and friends means creating fun traditions where nobody is left out. Whether it is a teal pumpkin in front of our house or a piñata full of safe treats, every person has the power to make sure that all children can look forward to Halloween.

Eden

Growing up with food allergies obviously brings a whole range of different challenges. Halloween is just one of the many  holidays that seems to revolve around food. If you are going trick-or-treating with friends, going to Halloween parties or going to special autumn events in your community you will definitely be trying to navigate living with food allergies in some way.

I was really lucky when I was younger that I never felt really that different when it came to Halloween. I remember when I was younger I used to go trick-or-treating like everybody else but my friends always used to swap out the sweets that I couldn’t eat with some of there ones that I could eat. So I always felt like I was safe and my friends were always really supportive, but I know this isn’t always the case for a lot of people

Whenever I went to Halloween parties or activities my mom often baked buns or cookies that were nut-free and that were safe for me to eat—and to be honest, my friends actually ended up enjoying them a lot of the time even more than the ones that we bought from the shop! In fact they were always the first ones to be eaten. I was also really lucky that a lot of my friends who are used to spend a lot of time with in my Taekwondo club also had various allergies so I felt confident being able to eat in a safe environment as I know that their parents were aware and vigilant as well. This probably helped my mom to feel a bit more relaxed as well!

I think Halloween can be so focused on food. Trying to find other activities that don’t necessarily involve food is so important and it’s something that I have found really has helped me to navigate  the holiday period. Some examples might be having Halloween movie nights with your friends or taking part in old Halloween traditions, for example mummy-wrapping or carving pumpkins. These are just some examples that are a great way to still have fun and enjoy the holidays while also keeping yourself safe.

Gianna

Halloween was always one of those holidays that I had to be extra careful as I have had food allergies throughout my whole life. Being allergic to all tree nuts and sesame products was challenging as these ingredients are present in many diverse kinds of sweet treats. When I was younger, I had a tough time accepting that I was not able to eat the same kind of candy that all my fellow classmates and friends were eating.

Halloween parades, trick-or-treating, and any other parties were events that I had to be extra careful about with my food and allergies. It was hard for me to fully understand when I was younger that I was not allowed to eat this food, and felt embarrassed, sometimes that I was not able to eat the same things as my other classmates were.

As I started to get older, I finally started to realize how important it was looking out for myself and my allergies. When attending trick-or-treating events, Halloween parties, and other Halloween gatherings, I needed to learn how to be extra careful in eating things that I did enjoy but, also, were safe. I could not just eat whatever kind of candy I wanted, because I needed to look out for my health and safety. This means paying extra close attention to food labels, and reading all the ingredients, especially when some sorts of candy were processed on shared equipment.

With this, I learned to find ways that I would be able to safely eat Halloween candy and allow myself to enjoy the holiday. Whether that be finding a Halloween treat that I am able to eat, or even making my own, I wanted to do anything I could to ensure that I still could create lasting memories of this holiday as I was a kid to remember throughout the rest of my life. It is especially important that safety comes first when celebrating such holidays that involve a lot of food and/or candy in this instance. Because of this, having support, awareness, and knowledge about food allergies are super important for Halloween events, trick-or-treating, and/or parties.

Lara

Spooks and scares are quintessential parts of Halloween, but for food allergy families, they’re more than your typical haunted house ghosts and ghouls. Candy is supposed to be a sweet relief from an otherwise frightful time, but for more than 33 million people in the United States, it’s the primary source of fear. With sugar-high trick-or-treaters fighting over the last jumbo Twix and overwhelmed parents trying to decide which bed-sheet ghost is their child, food allergies often become an afterthought in the craze of the holiday.

When it came to trick-or-treating, I knew that I couldn’t control what I was getting, so more often than not, my candy bucket was full of treats that contained my allergen. Hence, I usually abstained from indulging in my bounty and instead gave it to my friends who wanted it. A good rule of thumb if you have a nut allergy is to avoid any chocolate candy as there’s a high chance of it being contaminated with nuts. It’s best to stick with more fruity options like Skittles and lollipops. Luckily, my house was full of allergy-friendly sweets that I could enjoy without worrying for my life.

It’s easy to feel left out of the fun on Halloween if you have food allergies, but remember, your life is more precious than a single piece of candy. Even so, you can find safe alternatives to your favorite sweet treats, so that you too can enjoy some spooky fun. Remember to always speak up and listen to your gut. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Sarah

October comes around, and it’s trick-or-treat season once more! Halloween is lots of fun, but as someone with an allergy, it can be difficult and often risky. Candy is one food genre that allergens can sneak into nearly unnoticed. That’s why it’s very important to stick with what you know is safe for you! Don’t take any chances; a piece of candy is not worth your life.

I have an anaphylactic tree nut allergy, so on Halloween, I always have to be on the lookout for treats that have my allergen in them. At 15 years old, I’m more independent and I advocate for myself. Self-advocacy is very important on Halloween. I often go trick-or-treating with my friends, so when in unfamiliar neighborhoods, I must be extra vigilant. With a severe nut allergy, I abstain from most candy in my bag. Chocolate bars, such as Snickers, either contain nuts or have a high probability of cross contamination risks. Because of this, Swedish Fish and Skittles have always been my go-to. I give the candy I can’t eat to my friends.

And although I often feel left out of the sweets part, I have so many memories of fun times participating in Halloween celebrations. The fun of carving pumpkins, dressing up with my friends, and taking fun pictures are what I choose to focus on. I would rather focus on making the best out of what I can do, than focusing on what I can’t do.

My friends choose not to eat nut candy while I’m around so they can help keep me safe. Over the years I’ve learned that managing a food allergy is always easier when the burden is shared. Something I’ve always been grateful for, in reference to my allergy, is the community that has come around my family and supported us. Growing up, trick-or-treating in my neighborhood, my family always set out our teal pumpkin and we gave out nut-free candy! Putting out a teal pumpkin is one way we can share a part of our story and ensure that all the treats given out are allergy friendly.

Candy consumption is not the only way to ensure a good time on Halloween. You can participate in a costume contest, Halloween games, carve pumpkins, or just hang out with friends! There are plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween without food allergy related worries. Focusing on the can instead of the can’t, brings a new perspective and it allows you to have a fun time no matter how much allergy-friendly candy you get. Wishing everyone a happy Halloween from Teen Corner! Jesus loves you!

Arianna

Halloween tends to be a difficult time of year when you have allergies. Being surrounded by family and friends who do not have to worry about fun events can make one feel isolated in their experiences. It is completely valid to feel left out and sad when you can not partake in every event for holidays such as Halloween. What I find helpful to get over the complicated emotions is to find the positive things and the little joys during the holidays that I can partake in. For me, I always had fun just going to trick-or-treat and I still love to dress up! With the candies that we pass out at my house, they are all allergy-friendly, so I am able to enjoy those treats as well. 
 
Participating in other Halloween events and traditions can also help to make the Halloween experience more fun! For example, pumpkin carving, crafts, games, and spending time with friends. When you look at things in a positive light, it makes your experience more exciting and enjoyable. I hope that you all can find the positive and have a very happy Halloween!