Most of the time, Halloween can mean one thing… candy! The extra sugar and calories are not a good fit for someone trying hard to manage their weight and improve their health. Although candy is the center of many Halloween activities, there are steps you can take to plan for a healthy Halloween and avoid temptation as you head into the holidays.
The Weeks Before Halloween
It can be tempting to buy the Halloween candy on sale in every grocery store in the weeks leading up to the holiday, but don’t buy too early! Purchasing ahead of time usually ends up with an open and empty bag of candy. If you want to buy the candy early, store it where it’s not easily reachable or even in sight.
Think outside the box. Does Halloween have to be associated with candy? There are many other options to give to Trick or Treaters. Bottled water, fun pencils, stickers, or glow-in-the-dark bracelets are a few creative options. If you want to pass out food, consider healthier options such as apples, cheese sticks, or fried fruit. Trick or Treaters can get hungry as they go.
Halloween Night
Start with a healthy dinner. Don’t let the kids leave the house without a meal that includes protein, produce and grains. Make sure they have energy to get through the night.
Moderation: It’s hard to practice moderation on Halloween night, but set a few candy limits as your Trick or Treaters get ready to go. Of course they will want to eat candy and treats on Halloween, but help them find a reasonable balance.
The Aftermath
Plan for the leftovers. What can you do with bags and bags of candy? After your kids choose their favorites, there will be a lot more left. Don’t let the candy sit around your house for the whole month of November. Instead, find a place to donate. Local dentists often buy candy back. Many military-affiliated groups like to send Halloween candy to troops overseas, and charities will sometimes collect them for holiday events.
Find a limit: For extra Halloween candy, develop a plan for your kids to balance their intake. For example, allow them to choose a few pieces each day instead of overindulging or binging all at one time.
If You Are Hosting Trick Or Treaters
Have healthy options on-hand. You never know what kids will choose! If you are hosting a group, try a healthy but tasty recipe and see what happens.
Green Apple Monsters
Source: ThisHealthyTable.com
Ingredients:
- 3 green apples
- 3 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
- 2 oz. sliced cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
- 2 tbsp. pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- 1 package of candy eyes (you’ll use around 20 pieces)
Instructions:
Quarter the green apples and slice off the core and seeds. Carefully cut out a “V” shape into the center of the apple quarter to create the monster’s mouth. Repeat with all the apple pieces.
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter into the monster mouths. Repeat with all apple slices.
Press several pumpkin or sunflower seeds onto the top of the mouth along the edge to form teeth. Repeat with all apple slices.
Place a triangular piece of cheese into each monster mouth to make a tongue. Using the remaining peanut butter, spread a small amount onto the back of the candy eyes and place on top of the apple slices to hold them on.
Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Here are some additional tips to help you plan for a healthy Halloween from the Your Weight Matters Blog.
