5 tips for a sweet (but healthy) Halloween

Lisa Akly, RDN

Prisma Health Heart Hospital

Grocery stores have had their aisles stocked with candy and other Halloween treats for weeks. Before you indulge, here are some healthy tips from dietitian Lisa Akly.

1. Don’t keep candy in your home throughout the season. To avoid the pre-Halloween temptation, purchase your candy of choice as close to the trick-or-treat day as possible. Keep that candy out of sight until it is time for the trick-or-treaters to arrive.
2. Explore healthy Halloween alternatives. Whole fruits such as apples make a great alternative to candy for a healthy Halloween giveaway. You can also consider individually packaged raisins or other dried fruits, individually wrapped pretzels or popcorn. For festive Halloween treats, slice up fresh veggies, such as colorful bell peppers, carrots and celery, and shape the pieces into traditional Halloween images (a pumpkin, for example). Serve with small portions of cheeses, whole grain crackers, and dips. Try assembling playful trays using a variety of fruits and serve with pudding or yogurt.
3. Fuel up before the Halloween fun. A healthy meal prior to trick-or-treating may help avoid the candy temptation. Broccoli, cauliflower, squash and sweet potatoes are some healthy vegetables available this time of year. A wholesome soup along with a sandwich on whole grain bread is an example of many healthy, pre-trick-or-treat meals to start off your evening of fun. 
4. Savor the treats. Candies provide calories with very few nutrients. After you have discarded any unwrapped and questionable candies from Halloween candy collections, have your trick-or-treaters choose their absolute favorite pieces of candy and ration it out a little at a time. 
5. Halloween is an opportunity for physical activity. Halloween is a time for fun and games. Creating active Halloween party games and simply trick-or-treating is great opportunity for kids to achieve their 60 minutes of physical activity for the day.