How to Have a Healthy Halloween
Halloween is quickly approaching and I can almost hear the sound of the irresistible, crinkly candy wrappers, but not to be overshadowed by the shrieks of registered dietitians and personal trainers who are mortified at what people put in their bodies. The month of October is the beginning of the holiday season and the “gateway to grub galore.” It leads the way to three months of nonstop cake, cookies, brownies and everything in between. Why not start the season off right by choosing healthy Halloween snacks instead of loading up on candy that will just rot your teeth out and cause weight gain? Try these healthy Halloween recipes, snack ideas and more, for a fun holiday without seeing a spooky number on that scale!
Healthy Halloween Tips
1. Swap it out! With so many yummy treats around, it can be hard to say no to everything. Luckily, you don’t have to! Simply swap out the sugar-laden, fatty treats with healthy Halloween food. For example, when everyone is munching on pumpkin bread full of butter and sugar, make a loaf with apple sauce, honey and whole wheat flour. Just take your favorite Halloween recipe ideas and swap out the unhealthy ingredients like full-fat dairy, butter and sugar for healthier ingredients, and your kids will never know the difference.
2. Fill up on the good stuff! Before you let your kids start chowing down on some Halloween treats, be sure to fill them up with nutritious foods. Make sure that they are getting a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats in every meal to keep them full and satisfied. There are so many healthyHalloween recipes for kids that you could really never run out of ideas. From hearty goblin stew (chili) to brains on a bun (turkey burgers) and witch’s fingers (sweet potato fries), there are plenty of recipes to try. If their belly is full of vegetables and fruit and other healthy foods, they will be less likely to reach for a candy bar.
3. Ditch the pillow case! Who ever thought it would be a good idea to collect candy in a huge pillow case? I certainly know that wasn’t a mother’s idea. Switch out the pillow case for a smaller basket like a little plastic pumpkin, or something a lot more reasonable in size. Make the agreement with your child that once the container is full, you will go home. Having a smaller trick-or-treat bag will obviously help cut down on the loot the kids haul back to the house, decreasing the ability to go on a full-out candy binge. While there is really no such thing as healthy Halloween candy, you can allow your kids (or even you!) to enjoy a few pieces of regular candy, just don’t go overboard.
4. Hand out healthy treats! Have you ever brought Halloween candy to pass out and eaten the whole bag before Halloween even arrives? The key to avoiding this trap is to stock up on healthy Halloween treats that are actually good for you. There are a plethora of healthy Halloween treat ideas, such as air-popped popcorn, apples dipped in peanut butter instead of caramel, dark chocolate covered peanuts, or cinnamon apple sauce cups. If you’re going to a party, do a quick online search for Halloween treats recipes and make the healthiest ones you can find. Healthy Halloween party snacks don’t have to be boring, and they certainly can be delicious.
5. Throw it out! It is important to have a family-instituted cut-off date for the candy. For example, you can tell your kids that on November 3rd, every piece of candy is going to be given or thrown away. That way, the candy won’t be in your home for months to come, but rather, they can enjoy a few pieces and be done with it. It’s also important to be in charge of the candy. Do not let them keep it in their rooms or else that candy will be gone in no time flat, without any chance of even making it to the first of November. They may get upset, but you can remind that how important health and nutrition are and that there will be opportunities for treats very soon.
What are your favorite healthy Halloween ideas? Do you have an healthy treats for kids that everyone gobbles up?
