Trick or Treating Tips for a Healthy Halloween

Your trick or treaters may return home with bags overflowing of sweets and chocolate this Halloween. Don’t toss all your healthy intentions out the window this October! The keys, as always, are balance, variety and moderation. As with any treat, candy can be a part of a child’s healthful eating plan – in moderation. Here are some tips for a happy, healthy, and safe Halloween!

• Give your children a healthy snack before they start trick or treating. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a warm cup of chicken soup should do the trick. This way they will be less likely to indulge in their ever growing treat bag.
• If your children have collected a large amount of candy take some of their less favorite treats to work or group meetings where adults may have better control over candy consumption.
• Let your children know the candy rules. For example, one small bite-size piece of candy may be allowed as an after dinner treat. The candy bowl shouldn’t be open and within reach all day.
• Keep your Halloween candy in a separate, high place in your kitchen. They will have to go through Mom or Dad before indulging in their stash.
• Don’t buy Halloween candy early. You will tempt yourself and your kids to eat too much before the trick-or-treating even starts.
• Promote a healthy Halloween by handing out alternatives to candy.
  • pencils
  • stickers
  • party favors
  • trading cards
• Give out individually packaged non-sugary treats.
  • nuts
  • raisins
  • sunflower seeds
  • pumpkin seeds
  • baked chips or pretzels
  • microwave popcorn
  • whole grain crackers

  
  *Keep in mind that nuts and seeds can be a choking hazard for very young children

Try this Crock Pot Apple Cider recipe below. You can start it before trick or treating begins and it will be ready for you and your children by the time you’ve finished. This warm festive drink will make your house smell delicious and will be a special treat for your children, helping them to eat less candy while you sort through it for safety!

Crock Pot Apple Cider
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 12 cups apple cider
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 3 (3") cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, studded with whole cloves
  

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a 4-5 quart slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve iin mugs. 8-10 servings. Serve with apple slices and orange segments.

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