Healthier Halloween Ideas
Research from Yale University shows that when trick-or-treaters are given the choice between candy and a toy (i.e. a glow-in-the-dark bouncy ball or a Halloween pencil), they chose the toy fifty percent of the time. In other words, non-food treats are often just as fun as gooey goodies and sticky lollipops.
- This Halloween, try something different when you’re handing out treats:
- Hand out novelties such as bouncy balls, pencils, stickers, and note pads instead of candy (check out www.OrientalTradingCompany.com )
- If you do offer candy, hand out bite-size pieces vs. king-size ones. In other words, downsize vs. supersize!
- Consider sugarless gum, individual bags of popcorn (it’s a whole grain), or all-natural fruit strips and bars (we like Fruitabu and Fruitwise by Tropicana).
- Find out if your dentist offers a “buy back” program, and encourage your kids to sell some of their candy if their buckets are overflowing (a dentist in Liz’s town uses the candy to help build a gingerbread house at a local retirement home).
- Party Foods
In general, orange-colored foods such as cantaloupe, mango, pumpkin, and carrots are packed phytonutrients (natural plant chemicals) that reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. For this year’s Halloween costume party, balance out all the gooey treats with some fun and healthful orange-colored foods.- Cantaloupe balls
- Orange smile sections
- Dried apricots, mango, peaches, and persimmon
- Orange punch made with apricot nectar, seltzer, and orange sherbet
- Sweet potato chips
- Lowfat Cheddar cheese cubes with crackers
- Homemade goodies including our Chocolaty Pumpkin Bars and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.