Tricks for Healthier Halloween Treats

By , SparkPeople Blogger
There are not too many tricks at Halloween these days except for an occasional "ding-dong-ditch" or two. However, there are plenty of treats to tempt and entice adults and children alike. There are tricks to help you avoid the Halloween treats as well as tactics to outsmart temptations but sometimes they don't do the trick.

When I was young and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, I looked forward to the homemade cookies, hot cider and popcorn balls. Back then, neighbors knew your name as well as your parents and children focused less on the amount of candy they would collect and more on the festive experience of the evening. We might only visit ten houses but we would spend time at half of them as we talked on the porch, shared some hot cider, and catching up with one another. Unfortunately, times have changed and the focus is on getting as much candy as possible in the designated time. Although the commercial side of the season focuses on candy and sugary sweets, you don't have to. Here are some alternative tricks to make this Halloween your healthiest treat yet.

  • If you are going to have candy for parties or to hand out on October 31, try to make them healthier choices. Organic Lollipops, Organic Gummy Bears or Ginger Chews helps keep the focus on health but they still provide concentrated sources of sugar so good portion control will be important.
     
  • If you like to host Halloween parties with lots of candy corn and goodies, try changing the focus this year. Harvest parties have become more and more popular and focus on the nature of the season and provide healthful elements for party inspiration. Plan a bobbing for apples game using brightly colored and nutritious choices such as Granny Smith, Fuji, and Golden Delicious. Roast pumpkin seeds and place them in candy dishes instead of the traditional candy corn. Instead of carving pumpkins with scary faces that will cause the pumpkin to rot quickly, paint them with a variety of fall themes and use them to decorate for the rest of the season. Don't have room for all of them after your festivities or you used mini pumpkins as an art activity? Take the extras to a nearby retirement center for residents to decorate and brighten up their space.
     
  • Consider fun candy alternatives for passing out on the big day. Big this year are Halloween themed temporary tattoos. Trick-or-treaters will love glow-in-the-dark bugs especially if you have them in a plastic caldron when you hand them out. Give them a way to play after they get home with Mini Jack-O'-Lantern Yo-Yo's or Mini Halloween Molded Poppers to chase. Of course, there are always themed stickers, pencils, bubbles, and bouncy balls as well. By avoiding candy all together and focusing on other items you not only provide a healthier choice for the children, you also take away your temptation to snack as you hand out and enjoy the evening.
     
  • While handing out a mini box of raisins may not be a big hit or seem very festive, handing out Halloween Pretzel Packets might. Check in your local supermarket for Halloween themed alternatives to candy such as pretzels or gold fish that keep the seasonal spirit but with a healthier snack option.
We all need to focus less on candy and sweets during festivities and holidays and more on spending time together in celebration. One of the best ways to stay on track this Halloween is by planning and focusing on fun candy alternatives. The less you have them around, the less the temptation to pull you away from your good intentions which allows you to focus more on what really matters.

What are your candy alternative suggestions? How do you think we can focus less on the food and more on other activities this year?