Healthy Halloween Treats

HAVE A HEALTHY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is almost here! Soon kids will have bags full of candy and a sugar high to go with it. You may experience kids trying to eat as much candy as possible during their fun-filled night and the days to follow but this is an important time to teach children about healthy eating. Healthy eating is about balance and encouraging good eating habits, which is important for kids to develop now at a young age which can then carry out throughout their life.

Help your child build a lifetime of healthy eating habits by trying some of the healthy Halloween tricks listed below!

HEALTHY TIPS

Eat treats sparingly.

Moderation is key when talking with children about eating their sugary treats. Teach your children that they can have a treat after they have eaten their meal, including the vegetables!

Eat a well-balanced meal before you trick-or-treat.

Serve your child a nutritious meal before going trick-or-treating so they will not be tempted to eat their candy-filled bag throughout the night.

Set limits.

Set a limit on the amount of candy or treats your child can have each day. Divide the candy into daily or weekly portions and when they child eats all of the candy, they will have to wait until the next day or week.

Portion Control.

Candy can be frozen o help with portion control. You, as a parent are in charge of what the child can eat and when they will eat the candy.

HEALTHIER HALLOWEEN CANDIES

Smarties: One roll contains 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, and only 6 grams of sugar
Almond Joy: One snack sized bar contains 80 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and 8 grams of sugar
Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Kisses: Four chocolate kisses contain only 85 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 8 grams of sugar
Twizzler Strawberry Twists: Two twists contain 80 calories, less than 1 gram of fat and 9 grams of sugar
Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups: Two pieces contain 88 calories, 5.2 grams of fat and 9.2 grams of sugar. The peanut butter also contains 2 grams of protein

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN ALTERNATIVES

Cereal Bars or individual cereal boxes
Baked Pretzels
Baked Cheddar Snack Crackers
Trail Mix
Beef or Turkey Jerky
Individual Juice Drinks with 100% Juice
Pudding or Jell-O Cups
Applesauce Cups
Single-serve packets of microwave popcorn
Hot Chocolate or Hot Cider Packets

Fruit Snacks made with 100% fruit juice
Chewing Gum (age-friendly)
100-calorie snack packs
Boxes of animal crackers
Stickers
Pencils
Rubber spiders or worms
Silly putty or bubbles
Crayons
Comics or coloring books

***Please keep in mind food safety and allergies when handing out treats during your local Trick-or-Treating night!

HALLOWEEN FRIGHTENING FOODS

Carrot Fingers

Baby Carrots
Vegetable Dip
Almond Slices

Cut a flat, shallow notch in the tip of each carrot using a paring knife. Then use a dab of vegetable dip to glue a sliced-almond fingernail atop each notch. Stick the fingers in the vegetable dip and serve.

Apple Lips

Apples
Slivered Almonds

Quarter and core an apple. Cut a wedge out of the skin side of each quarter and press almond slices in place for teeth.

Cookie Cutter Sandwiches

Bread
Lunch Meat
Sliced Cheese

Prepare sandwiches using 2 slices bread, lunch meat and cheese. Using Halloween-themed cookie cutters, cut shapes out of sandwiches.

Strawberry Ghosts

Strawberries
White Chocolate
Chocolate Chips

Dip strawberries into melted white chocolate. Place stem-side up and allow for chocolate to set. Melt chocolate chips and dip toothpick into chocolate and draw eyes and mouth on each white chocolate face

Ooey-Gooey Popcorn Balls

1 (2.7 oz) bag Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPOP! 94% fat free butter microwave popcorn
1/4 cup butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Transfer popped kernels to large heatproof bowl being careful to remove all unpopped kernels; set aside.
Place butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; microwave 90 seconds more (marshmallows will appear puffed). Add vanilla and stir well with heatproof spatula.
Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn; stir to coat. Form popcorn mixture into 2-1/2-inch balls, rolling firmly by hand.

Serves 10 (1 ball per serving).

Popcorn Balls Options

Feeling festive?
Orange food coloring may be added to the melted marshmallows for a Halloween look. Then press a small piece of black licorice or a candy corn into the top of each popcorn ball to mimic a stem on a pumpkin.

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls
Add 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts to reserved popcorn. Omit vanilla and replace with 1/2 cup Peter Pan creamy peanut butter. Continue with recipe as directed.

Nutrition Facts per serving
130 calories
5g fat
106mg sodium
21g carbohydrate
1g fiber
12g sugar
1g protein

Source: www.readyseteat.com