Vow to Trick-or-Treat the Healthy Way

If you participate in the annual beggar’s night festivities, you might find yourself stuck at the store debating over which candy will be the big hit among trick-or-treaters this year. Is it the chocolate candy? Is it fruit-flavored candy? Or maybe it is both? Trying to pick candy can be stressful. Although candy tastes good, it doesn’t pack a lot of punch when it comes to nutrition. Candy products are usually high in sugar, fat, and calories, which are not always our “best friends” when it comes to health.

There are other treats you can pass out on beggar’s night that are lower in fat and sugar, and higher in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The possibilities for healthy Halloween treats are endless! Set a good example for your children and the neighborhood kids by passing out healthy treats this year.

Vow to hand out healthier Halloween goodies like cereal bars, single-serve boxes of ready-to-eat cereal, trail mix, animal or graham crackers, or packages of low-fat crackers. Fig cookies, individual applesauce packets, or single-serve packets of low-fat microwave popcorn are other options. You could also try snack packets of nuts or dried fruit like raisins.

To help children avoid overindulging on their Halloween treats, instruct them to wait until they get home to eat their goodies. This will also allow you to inspect the goodies in their bag. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to teach children about one important eating strategy – moderation. Adults and children can both benefit from employing moderation when it comes to food (and Halloween candy). Talk with your children about how much candy they will enjoy in a day and when they can eat it to prevent them from overindulging.

You could also hand out items that promote physical activity or stimulate thinking. By handing out items that get kids up and moving, you can encourage kids (and families) to be more physically active. Physical activity items can help children meet the recommendation to get sixty minutes of physical activity each day. Items that encourage creativity and thinking can also be a big hit with kids. Try some of these items this year:

• Small bouncy balls
• Jump ropes
• Sidewalk chalk
• Beanbags
• Frisbees
• Miniature magnifying glasses
• Tiny decks of cards
• Pencils or pens
• Small coloring books

Don’t forget about Halloween safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares these safety tips for trick-or-treating(PDF)Links to a PDF document.:

• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk with groups or with a trusted adult.
• Attach reflective tape to costumes or bags to help drivers see you at night.
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see at night.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Inspect all treats for choking hazards and tampering before allowing your children to eat them.
• Refrain from eating homemade treats that were made by strangers.

Have fun and be healthy during this year’s Halloween festivities! And, remember that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner; establishing positive holiday eating strategies now can be advantageous throughout the rest of the holiday season as well.