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MARQUETTE -- Halloween and lots of candy go hand in hand.  But with kids with diabetes, it can be a challenge to make sure they stay healthy.  Diabetic children can actually eat the goodies they get from trick or treating, but the key is moderation.

"We all know what day Halloween is and trying to plan accordingly.  Not having a real high carb dinner, because they may be going trick or treating afterwards," explains Certified Diabetes Educator Paula Ackerman.

But there are some treats that may be better than others.  At Donckers in Marquette, they try to stock their shelves with a wide variety that can appeal to everyone.

"We have sugar-free chocolates, sugar-free bark, sugar-free homemade hand-dipped chocolates that are filled, and just straight chocolate," describes Donckers owner Tom Vear.

So what happens if a diabetic kid eats too much sugar and candy?

"The risks that a child with diabetes runs into is that blood sugar can run very high and they'll feel extremely tired and very poorly.  They may be thirsty and they may be going to the bathroom a lot. They can get so severe where they have a stomachache and be nauseated and not feel well," Ackerman says.

Another way to make sure a kid with diabetes stays healthy?  Don't pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.  Instead, give out Halloween favors such as pencils, rings, or other small toys.