This article was last updated on Oct. 25, 2021.
Halloween means spooky decorations, fun costumes, and lots of candy! But if you’re trying to keep the sweets to a minimum, Halloween can be a tricky holiday to navigate.
Consider helping out your neighbors and trick-or-treaters by passing out some healthy candy alternatives for Halloween this year!
Healthy Halloween candy alternatives
- Glow sticks: kids will love lighting up the night with glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets.
- Applesauce pouches: unsweetened applesauce is an excellent source of Vitamin C, and the easy squeeze pouches are a treat even the youngest trick-or-treaters can enjoy.
- Spider rings: the perfect accessory for any Halloween costume.
- Clementines: these fruits are small, easy to peel, and even resemble mini pumpkins.
- Stickers, pencils, and stamps: consider these non-food items for kids who may have food allergies but still want to take part in the Halloween fun.
- Snack-size pretzels: easy to hand out, mini bags of pretzels are a nice break from the sugar overload of traditional candy.
Even if you try to hand out some of these healthy candy alternatives, it’s inevitable that kids will bring home loads of candy. To avoid the temptation of extra candy at home and work, try a few of these tips External Site:
- Chew sugarless gum or brush your teeth: something about minty fresh breath makes a chewy, gooey candy bar seem a little less appealing.
- Hide your loot: make an effort to make the candy less accessible. Keeping it high in a cupboard or in the freezer could be just what you need to keep from mindlessly munching.
- Everything in moderation: when you are ready to treat yourself, choose your favorite candy and enjoy it! Take the time to appreciate your favorite treat rather than continually snacking on candy that you don’t really love.
Stay safe during Halloween
Although the main priority during Halloween trick-or-treating is to gather as many goodies as possible, safety is another important thing to keep in mind. Keep everyone safe by following these tips from the Mayo Clinic External Site:
- Choose a costume that's brightly colored, warm enough and doesn't include a mask that obstructs the child's vision or possibly dangerous props.
- Set ground rules for the group. If your child is trick-or-treating without adults, plan a route and set a time to be back home.
- Inspect the treats your child receives. Throw away anything that's not sealed and consider rationing how much candy they eat at a time.
Back at home, it's important to make your area safe for trick-or-treaters. Make sure there isn't anything that's going to cause people to trip, turn your lights on, and control your four-legged friends so they won't scare, chase or bite anyone.
Looking for more ways to eat and live healthier?
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