Tips for a Healthier Halloween Night
Halloween doesn’t mean handing out sweets full of empty calories!
Being healthy doesn’t mean giving up all of the treats, so remember:
- Balance. Portion candy with other healthy alternatives such as: fruits, vegetables, crackers, pretzels, low-fat milk, granola bars.
- Eat Dinner. Remember to feed your child a well-balanced dinner prior to trick-or-treating. This will prevent candy from substituting dinner as well as prevent overeating of treats.
Sensible Treats for Trick-or-Treaters
- Granola Bars
- Teddy Grahams
- Fruit Leathers
- Kudos Fruit & Nut Bar
- 100% Juice Boxes
- Sugarless Gum Packs
- Frito-Lay Munchies Kid Mix
- Packs of cheese & crackers
- Chex Mix
- Chocolate-covered dried fruit
- Honey Maid Cinnamon Sticks
- Welch’s Fruit Snacks
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Animal Crackers
- Nutrition bars such as NutriPals or Luna
Don’t forget.... If you do decide to hand out candy on Halloween night, be sure to make more sensible choices:
- Opt for low-fat. Choose candy such as Peppermint Patties, Three Musketeers, and Twizzlers. These all have less fat and calories than their counterparts and still taste great.
- Size matters. Always offer fun-size or snack-size versions of candy to decrease the calories, fat and sugar content. Kids get a sugar fix without over-doing it.
- More isn’t always better. When handing out candy, don’t give out multiple pieces or handfuls. Give out one fun-size candy bar or treat and then hand out a healthier option, such as a mini box of raisins or a pack of sugarless gum or candy.