We have the short and awesome tips on How to Have a Healthy Halloween! Halloween is a great time to have parties, visit friends/family, show off those awesome costumes and have fun!! These did bits can help make this fun time a little healthier for all those involved!
Don’t go trick or treating hungry
This one’s for parents and children. When we go long periods of time without eating, it typically causes us to grab what is most convenient and can actually cause us to overeat when the time comes. Having a balanced, healthy meal before trick-or-treating can help to reduce the urge to overeat.
Move it
Take advantage of the time to have a fun family event that is physically active for that perfect hallwoeen. Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable shoes and make it a game to visit as many houses or streets as you can!
Practice safety first
Make sure to check the expiration dates and inspect any edible items before kids eat them. Be aware of food allergies and be careful to not let toddlers have any items that could be a choking hazard.
Hand out healthier treats such as:
- Clementines or small oranges decorated like Jack-O-Lanterns
- 100% juice boxes or pouches
- Snack sized packages of pretzels, popcorn, graham crackers, dried fruits, trail mix
- Glow sticks or small glow in the dark toys
- Crayons and coloring books
- Stickers or stamps
- Soap bubble makers
- Plastic spider rings or vampire teeth
Make a healthy treat like the banana ghosts pictured above!
All you need is:
– 3 bananas
– ¾ cup low sugar yogurt
– 12 chocolate chips
– 6 wooden popsicle sticks
Directions:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Peel the bananas and cut them in half, insert a popsicle stick into the cut end and push it about halfway up.
- Place the bananas on to the baking sheet and let sit in the freezer for an hour (this helps the yogurt stick to the bananas)
- Using an icing spreader or butter knife spread the yogurt onto the bananas and cover completely.
- Push the pointy top of the chocolate chips into each banana for the eyes
- Put in the freezer to firm for 2-3 hours.
- Enjoy!
Stay balanced
It is important to remember that Halloween is only one day a year. It’s what kids eat every day that has the most impact on nutrition and health. Rather than making candy and sweet treats off limits, serve healthy snacks first and bring out the sweet treats later. Teach them that a healthy halloween can be a fun halloween! Get them involved.
What about when Halloween is over and there is candy everywhere?
- When your child asks for a piece of candy, pair it with a healthy snack like apples, bananas, nuts, or celery with peanut butter.
- Keep enough candy for one piece a day for a week or two and then find a way to donate it
- You could deliver Halloween treats to a local police station, fire department, nursing home or children’s hospital
Total Nutrition Technology will be gathering extra Halloween candy and donating it to the Ronald McDonald House! Please have all of your extra Halloween candy to us by Wednesday, November 6th. Check out our locations for drop off areas.
For more information on healthy halloween treats check out Brit + Co!
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