PITTSBURGH, Oct. 28, 2026 — With Halloween and trick-or-treat festivities going on this week, the American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, is sharing tips to help families in southwest PA enjoy a safe and healthy holiday.
" As both a mother and a pediatric cardiologist, I believe holidays like Halloween can be a great opportunity to teach healthy habits without taking away the fun,” said Brenda Mendizabal MD, director of preventive cardiology at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and board president of the American Heart Association, Pittsburgh. “Whether it's walking the neighborhood together, serving festive healthy snacks or helping children practice moderation with treats, families can celebrate while supporting lifelong heart health.”
For the trick-or-treater:
- Fill up first. What kid doesn’t want to eat their favorite candy right when it goes into their trick-or-treat bag? Having a healthy meal before kids go trick-or-treating can reduce the temptation to snack while walking or overindulge later.
- Get moving. Get some exercise by making Halloween a fun family activity. Walk instead of driving from house to house. Set a goal of how many houses or streets you’ll visit or compete in teams to do as many as you can. Bring a bottle of water and a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes.
- Look before you eat. Check expiration dates and inspect all edibles before allowing children to eat them. Don’t let children eat anything with questionable or unknown ingredients, especially if they have food allergies.
- Have a plan. Halloween can be a great time to talk with kids about moderation and making smart eating choices. Plan in advance how much candy they’ll be allowed to take at each house, keep and eat. If they’re old enough, let them help decide what to do with excess candy.
For the party host:
- Up the fright factor. Serve healthy snacks dressed up in the Halloween theme, such as banana ghosts, apple monster mouths, carrot witch fingers or candy-corn-colored fruit popsicles or parfaits.
- Keep ’em on their feet. Include plenty of physical activities, such as a zombie dance party, three-legged monster race, spider crawl or pumpkin toss.
- Rethink the drink. Don’t forget that cutting back on sugary treats includes soda and sugar-sweetened beverages. Offer water, or sparkling water as a juice alternative.
- Make a Halloween-themed punch from sparkling water and a splash of 100% orange juice, garnished with plenty of orange slices and black grapes or blackberries.
What are some healthier Halloween ideas?
· Healthier treats and alternatives:
· Clementines or oranges decorated like jack-o’-lanterns
· Snack-sized packages of pretzels, popcorn or dried fruit
· 100% fruit snacks
· Glow sticks or small toys
· Crayons, stickers or temporary tattoos
Be careful to avoid giving very small items that could be a choking hazard to little ones.
What can I do with excess candy?
Here are few ideas for enjoying the evening’s haul and handling leftover candy:
- Let children choose a reasonable amount to keep and donate, repurpose or discard the rest.
- Pair candy with a healthy snack, such as fruit, nuts or vegetables.
- “Buy back” extra candy with money or tokens toward a fun family activity.
Learn more about how you and your family can have a heart-healthy Halloween at Heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Karen Colbert ; karen.colbert@heart.org,
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
