Snacks, snacks, candy, you name it! Halloween can be a spooky day for people who are health conscious or trying not to gain extra weight. Read on for ideas for healthier Halloween fun this year.
Halloween is the best day of the year to feel scary. From bloody clown costumes to nightmarish horror movies to being on the receiving end of trick-versus-feast, many people enjoy the horror this holiday has to offer. But for people trying to stay healthy or watching their weight, Halloween can be even more terrifying. Here are some ideas for healthy Halloween treats, snacks, and more.
healthy halloween snacks
According to the National Confectionery Association, not only are 97% of Americans planning to hand out Halloween candy this year, but more than half will start enjoying these sweet treats before October 31st arrives. (1) Planning to hand out healthy Halloween treats can reduce the impact of pre-holiday candy bowl dipping while also making these items healthier for trick-or-treating youth. It will help you make it happen.
Here are some ideas for healthier Halloween treats.
Buy healthier Halloween candy. What’s the healthiest candy to hand out on Halloween? According to one nutritionist, options to consider include The Three Musketeers (fun size), Dum Dum Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Now and Later candies, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups ( Bite size) etc. (2) Hand out “fun-sized” candy bars or packages. These small treats are lower in fat and calories than their regular-sized counterparts. Depending on the number of trick-or-treaters, you can give each child several different candies, and the children may be more happy. Instead of giving out candy, give out pre-wrapped snack bags with dried fruit, popcorn, baked chips, or other healthy options. This provides a sugar-free treat that kids can enjoy, unlike everything else in trick-or-treat bags. Make and hand out homemade snacks on the morning of Halloween. Not only will this save you from eating it yourself before a big event, but it can also be healthier than store-bought snacks. For example, a medium-sized homemade chocolate chip cookie contains approximately 78 calories and 4.5 grams of fat (3). By comparison, many candy bars each contain 200 to 300 calories and 10 to 20 grams of fat. (4) Buy non-food treats and avoid giving food completely. A quick search for “non-candy Halloween treats” on Amazon brings up several options, including fake tattoos, bracelets, finger toys, and Halloween-themed notepads.
Healthy Halloween snacks perfect for parties
That’s right, Halloween can bring challenges in the form of healthy treats. However, it is also a common holiday for parties to be held, both at school and at home. What are the best foods to eat on Halloween, especially from a health perspective?
Fruits and vegetables with a Halloween vibe, like ghostly bananas and celery sticks with creepy eyes. Faithful Plateful offers healthy Halloween snack trays that give you ideas on how to dress up your ingredients when preparing for a party. Snacks that comply with dietary restrictions. Some people go on a diet that avoids certain foods. Having food ready for your guests to eat will help them enjoy the party. Meaningful Eats offers gluten-free Halloween snacks for people with dietary restrictions. Taste of Home has Halloween treat ideas for people with allergies. gelatin cup. Jello may not be considered healthy, but it’s lower in calories and fat than many Halloween treats, making it a great snack option. Country Living has a recipe for Halloween candy corn gelatin cups (they look like candy!).
This end of October break doesn’t have to be unhealthy. That won’t happen if you plan ahead and try to adopt some healthy Halloween habits, such as:
Don’t buy Halloween treats too far in advance. To minimize the temptation to eat them, plan to buy them the day before or preferably the day you plan to distribute them. Buy some sweets you don’t like or can’t resist. Instead of handing out their favorite candy, give out treats that are easy to say no to or ignore. Increase your activity to compensate for the increased calorie intake. If you know you burn more calories during Halloween, increase your physical activity to prevent potential weight gain. Give yourself permission to enjoy certain treats. Telling yourself not to eat any candy during Halloween can backfire. And if you’re an all-or-nothing type of person, eating one piece of candy could mean eating the entire bag. Instead, give yourself permission to enjoy one or two of your favorite pieces. Eat slowly and savor each bite!
When thinking about how to make Halloween healthy, it’s also important to remember to focus on the entire holiday season. If you have candy or other treats at home, you may be tempted to eat them until they’re gone. Developing healthy habits during Halloween and throughout the year will help you achieve your goals without any temptation.
Now, let’s go out and enjoy Halloween.
