Hauntingly Healthy Halloween Tips & Tricks

Halloween is usually full of fun and fright.  But what can be the most frightening about Halloween is all the candy, candy and more candy!  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a piece of candy here and there but the average trick-or-treater can consume over 3 cups of sugar (almost 2,400 calories) on Halloween.

Eek! But don’t fret – here are some tips and tricks to help your kids from overdoing it while still satisfying that sweet tooth:

 Plan ahead and set limits

• Eat a healthy meal BEFORE you go trick-or-treating. This reduces the temptation to “snack” while walking.

• And talk to your kids before trick-or-treating time about how many pieces of candy they can eat that night.  That way they can choose those few pieces carefully instead of diving right into that plastic pumpkin.

• Avoid the pillow case method and find a bag that’s the right size for your child

What about the candy, candy and more candy?

• If you are giving out candy, buy candy that you don’t like. Then you and your family won’t be tempted to eat it. Also, buy it a day or two before Halloween so it is not sitting around waiting to be eaten.

• Don’t buy a “jumbo” bag of candy if your neighborhood only gets a few trick-or-treaters.

• If your kids come home with too much candy, think about arranging a buyout.  Play a nickel or dime for each sweet treat they “sell” you and let them “earn” money for their piggy bank (or for a toy or game they want to buy, if ok in house household)

• The day after Halloween, get rid of all that candy! Take it to work, give it away or just throw it away. Remember don’t keep it around the house.

• If you want to keep of few pieces of candy in the house after Halloween, have the kids go through and pick out their favorites. Then get rid of the rest of the candy.

• Consider healthier treats at your house instead of candy:  Mini boxes of raisins, 100% juice juice-boxes, 100 calorie packs, 100% natural fruit strips/ropes such as Clif Kid Organic ZFruit Rope, YumEarth Organics Lollipops (available at Target or Marshalls/TJ Maxx),  granola bars such as the KIND bars, little bags of popcorn like Angie’s Cinnamon Sugar Kettle Corn (I like that there is only 5 ingredients too!), and one of my favorites…the Mini LARABAR.    Even hand out crayons, stickers, silly bands, or bubbles.

• Avoid the urge to buy on-sale candy in the grocery stores AFTER Halloween.

What tips & tricks do you have to help make your Halloween healthy and fun?

Hi! My name is Angela.  I am a mom to 2 wonderful children, a wife and founder of Total Nutrition Technology. I believe that good health is contagious and I love sharing all I know about it…from recipes, eating tips for you & your kids to suggestions on how to incorporate healthy living into your schedule and so much more. I have been educating others about health and nutrition for the past 21 years and am excited to share this passion with you.  **Special note – I am not associated in any way with the products I mention.  They are simply things that I have found and fallen in love with and have made my life just a little easier.**