Halloween is such a fun, social holiday. It is a great excuse for both kids and adults to decorate, dress up in costumes and take the time to spend time with friends. This is a great thing. It is even ok to indulge in a few treats every now and then.
The problem is that like most holidays it has become all about the food. Instead of getting a few homemade treats from trusted neighbors in years gone by, it has become an all out sugar binge where kids collect candy by the pillow case. This is a huge problem that has gotten completely out of control.
These are a few of my favorite strategies to help you not only survive, but thrive through Halloween and still have an amazing time.
- Give away non-food or healthier treats to trick-or-treaters. Who says that you have to give out candy? Small Halloween themed toys, crayons, stickers, bubbles, or rings (you can buy big bags of these inexpensively at dollar and gift stores), mini comic or coloring books, 100% unsweetened juice boxes or coconut water or even mini Lara bars (kids love the chocolate chip cookie dough, brownie and peanut butter and jelly flavors.)
- If you feel you must give away conventional candy, buy something you do not like. Most often this means giving away sour candies, sticky toffees or suckers.
- Remember that those mini “fun-sized” chocolate bars add up very quickly. Three mini bars typically add up to the equivalent of one full sized chocolate bar.
- Offer to bring along a healthy snack to your Halloween parties so you have a healthy snacking option that will keep you feeling great. Raw vegetables and whole grain (gluten-free if you are) pita wedges with salsamole or hummus, pumpkin/sweet potato spice bread, mini raw salted caramel apples, mixed spiced raw nuts or seeds, a fruit plate or even cookie dough protein bites.
- Eat a healthy, balanced meal before you go. Temptations are much easier to resist when you are not starving.
- Stay on the other side of the room away from the food table at parties. Ladies carry a clutch purse- it is tough to mindlessly snack when your hands are full.
- Take your children to local candy buy-back parties. At these fun costume parties, kids can “sell” their candy (typically at the rate of $1/pound) to be disposed of, indulge in some healthy treats and enter to win great prizes. More and more communities (and particularly dentists) are organizing these parties with a great response from both kids and parents. These events usually take place November 1st, check your local listings for locations and times.
What are your favorite healthy Halloween strategies? Please let me know in the comments below and on Facebook– I love hearing from you!
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