Halloween is on Thursday, and that means kids will be eating a ton of candy.

On average, health officials say Americans consume about 3 ½ pounds of candy on Halloween. Registered dietitian Ruth Katalsky says you can substitute different alternatives to reduce some of that sugar intake.

Katalsky says dark chocolate can have some health benefits.

"Dark chocolate…has cacao…over 65%...the cacao is the seed the chocolate comes from. It's actually filled with anti-oxidants which can reduce your inflammation and oxidative stress," said Katalsky.

Some other ideas include rice-cake animals. These are made with sunflower butter, whole wheat rice cakes, pretzels and berries and you don't have to break the bank to make them.

Katalsky also says berries have a lower content of sugar, compared to other fruits. She says the amount of sugar kids consume can lead to dental issues, heart conditions and diabetes. However, she says this doesn't necessarily mean kids shouldn't enjoy the candy.

"I don't want it to sound that we need to take away from the enjoyment and fun, it can still be a great activity," said Katalsky.

She says moderation in this case is key.