Healthy Halloween Treats

Every year at Halloween parents are face with the challenge of limiting all the sugary snacks Halloween has to offer. Most Parent s don’t want to be considered Halloween party poopers. Parents who want their children to have healthy teeth and bodies tend to look for creative ways in order to make sure their children don’t over indulge on too much sugar during this time of year. Negotiate the limits and enforce them. Kids often need plenty of guidance when it comes to the temptations of Halloween candy. Be sure that you are focusing on the positive effects of not eating the candy, rather than using it as a punishment. There other alternatives to the traditional Halloween treats to help your family have a healthier holiday without making mom and dad look Halloween scrooges.

• EnviroKidz Organic Peanut Choc Drizzle Rice Bars: They are organic, have 0 grams Trans-fat, are low sodium, gluten free and have no artificial flavors or preservatives. Plus, 1% of sales go to endangered species or habitat conservation and education for kids. Available at Wholefoods supermarket or Amazon.com
• Feed Your Children a Healthy Meal: Feeding your children a healthy meal before they head out for trick-or-treating will help prevent them from eating the candy simply because they are hungry.
• Fun Stuff Instead of Candy: Instead of candy try giving away little note books, coloring books, little yo-yo’s, fun Halloween stickers, glow Sticks, small pack of crayons, miniature games, monster teeth (party city priced @ .99), plastic rings, necklaces and bracelets. These are fun alternatives to candy that children will enjoy.
• Edible treats: Sunflower seeds, individual juice boxes (100% juice), small cookies boxes or granola bars, Sun Drops (similar to dye-free M&Ms, made of natural cocoa), and small pudding packs.
  • Keeping Healthy Snacks on hand at Home: Keeping plenty of tasty and nutritious snacks on hand will help kids get full of healthy foods, rather than reach for the candy when they want a snack. The occasional Halloween treat is not terribly harmful if they have filled up on good foods first.
• Figamajigs: These were named healthiest candy of 2006 by Forbes and given the Healthy Snack Award by Shape in 2007. Flavors include almonds, raspberries and mint. This decadent snack is filled with natural ingredients mostly figs, premium dark chocolate and cocoa. They are low fat, high in fiber and antioxidants. Available at figamajigs.com and whole foods supermarket.
• Buy Back Plan: Some parents try a “buy back” plan for Halloween candy. Many kids are motivated by getting a few bucks. You might want to consider buying their candy from them. The less they eat the more money they can get.

These are only a few suggestions to help make Halloween a little healthier for your family! Most importantly, remember that everyday healthy choices make for the healthiest kids, and the occasional slip-up or indulgence is not the end of the world. Just make up for it with extra healthy choices afterwards.

Wishing you all spooktacular Halloween!