It’s that time of year again, time to start prepping and planning for Halloween. Kids love this holiday because it has a history of giving them a pass to binge on candy. While it may seem OK as a once a year event, in reality- consuming large amounts of candy on any day is a bad idea. First, think of the sticky and hard candies that can cause unexpected expenses related to dental procedures. Yes, dentists have reported an increase in business due to broken teeth and broken braces in the first week of November. Coincidence? Doubtful.
The best thing you can do for your kid(s) is negotiate sweets on Halloween. Host a party at your home and offer up some delicious, yet healthy, treats and scary movies instead of the normal Trick or Treating activities.
Black olives can turned Deviled Eggs into scary treats. If you go light on the Mayo, these treats are packed with protein.
Witch Finger sandwiches made with peanut butter, almonds, bananas and bread are also a great hit at parties.
Finger-tizers are great for kids of all ages. Think Pigs in a Blanket but with turkey dogs wrapped in a whole grain tortilla wrap. Add a little ketchup to make a bloody nail at the end of each “finger”.
Mini pumpkins filled with sugar free Jello are also popular.
There are a lot of Halloween treat ideas available online that are also healthy. Be careful, however. Not all of them are good for you -even when they claim to be healthy.
If you need help planning your Halloween party (for adults or children) while promoting healthy eating and living, please call or own Maggie Eaton, RDN, LD. Maggie is a registered and licensed dietitian providing nutrition services and managing the clinical patient programs at the Odom Health & Wellness Clinic. She will be happy to assist you and provide science-based guidance for the best Halloween party ever! https://odomhealthandwellness.com/nutrition-counseling/