How to Have a Healthy Halloween

Treats, snacks, candy, oh my! Halloween can be spooky for health conscious people and those trying not to pack on extra pounds. Read on for ideas to enjoy a healthier Halloween this year.

Halloween is the one day of the year when feeling scared is a good thing. From bloody clown costumes to nightmare-worthy horror films, to being on the receiving end of tricks versus treats, many enjoy the fright this holiday has to offer. But Halloween can be extra scary for people who are trying to be healthy or watch their weight. Here we share ideas for healthy Halloween treats, snacks, and more.

Healthy Halloween Treats

Not only do 97% of Americans plan to hand out Halloween candy this year according to the National Confectioners Association, but more than half will start enjoying these sweet treats before October 31st even arrives. (1) Planning to give out healthy Halloween treats can help reduce the impact of pre-holiday dips in the candy bowl while also making these items more healthful for young trick-or-treaters.

Ideas for healthier Halloween treats include:

• Purchase healthier Halloween candy. What’s the healthiest candy to give out for Halloween? According to one dietitian, options to consider include 3 Musketeers (fun size), Dum Dum Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Now and Later candies, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (bite size). (2)
• Hand out ‘fun size’ candy bars or packages. These smaller treats are lower in fat and calories than their regular-sized counterparts. Depending on how many trick-or-treaters you get, you may be able to give each child a few different candies, making them happier yet!
• Give out pre-packaged snack bags of dried fruit, popcorn, baked chips, or other healthy options instead of giving candy. This provides a non-sugar treat kids can enjoy that is different from everything else in their trick-or-treat bag.
• Make homemade treats the morning of Halloween and pass those out. Not only does this keep you from eating them yourself before the big event, but they can also be healthier than store-bought treats. For instance, a homemade medium-sized chocolate chip cookie has roughly 78 calories and 4.5 grams of fat (3) compared to many candy bars which often pack 200-300 calories and 10-20 grams of fat each. (4)
• Buy non-food treats and avoid giving out food altogether. A quick Amazon search for “Halloween non-candy treats” provides several options from which to choose, including fake tattoos, bracelets, finger toys, and Halloween-themed notepads.

Healthy Halloween Snacks for Your Party

Yes, Halloween can bring challenges in the form of healthy treats. But it’s also a common holiday for parties, whether at school or home. What is the best food to eat on Halloween, especially from a health standpoint?

• Fruit and veggies with Halloween flair, such as bananas that look like ghosts or celery sticks with creepy eyes. Faithful Plateful provides a Healthy Halloween Snack Tray to give you some ideas on how to dress up your produce when preparing for a party.
• Treats that adhere to dietary restrictions. Some people follow diets that avoid certain food items. Preparing something these guests can eat without worry enables them to enjoy the party too. Meaningful Eats offers gluten-free Halloween snacks for those with this dietary restriction. Taste of Home shares Halloween snack ideas for people with allergies.
• Gelatin cups. Jello may not be considered healthy, but it is lower in calories and fat than many Halloween treats, making it a better snack option. Country Living provides a Halloween Candy Corn Gelatin Cup recipe to try (and they look like the candies!).

This end-of-October holiday doesn’t have to be unhealthy. And it won’t be if you plan ahead and work to create healthy Halloween habits such as these:

• Don’t buy your Halloween treats too far in advance. Plan to purchase them the day before or, better yet, the day you plan to give them out to keep your temptation to eat them at a minimum.
• Buy treats you don’t like or can resist. Instead of giving out your favorite candy, give out treats you can easily say no to or bypass.
• Increase your activity to make up for the increased calorie intake. If you know that you’ll be consuming more calories during Halloween, step up your physical activity to help counteract potential weight gain.
• Give yourself permission to enjoy certain treats. Telling yourself that you can’t have any candy during Halloween is likely to backfire. And if you’re an all-or-nothing thinker, eating one piece of candy can lead to finishing off the whole bag. Instead, give yourself permission to enjoy 1-2 pieces of your favorites. Eat them slowly and savor every bite!

When considering how to make Halloween healthy, it’s also important to remember to focus on the entire holiday season. From the moment you have candy or other treats in your house until they are gone, you may find it tempting to dig into them. Developing healthy habits during Halloween — and all year — can help you reach your goals without being sidetracked by all the temptations that exist.

Now, go out there and enjoy Halloween.