Healthy Halloween Treats

Let’s say that you’ve decided to give out healthy snacks this year for Halloween instead of the typical candy treat. What are some good options?

Unfortunately, it’s no longer proper to give out fresh fruit or homemade snacks, because the kids’ parents never know if it’s safe or coming from a reliable source. Another concern with handing out treats are the children with potential food allergies; it’s safest to not give out any foods that might contain peanuts (because many kids have severe peanut allergies), and there are many kids with allergies to gluten (so no products made with wheat). But, you are likely to know the kids who will traverse to your doorstep, so choose according to that population.

Here are some food ideas to put in your trick-or-treaters’ pumpkins:
1. Canned fruit. Although it’s not the lowest cost item to hand out (a 4-pack of canned fruit can cost ~$1.00), it is still a healthy and low calorie snack. Buy 4 oz containers of applesauce, fruit cocktail, peaches, pears…you get the picture.

2. 100 calorie snack packs. If you would like to give out a sweet treat that is relatively low in calories, you could give out the 100 calorie packs of cookies, crackers….Some examples are: Nabisco snacks, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Pringles,

3. Sugar free bubble gum. Low in calorie and fun to chew.

4. Hot chocolate packets (or sugar free hot chocolate packets). What a yummy treat if that Halloween night is cool.

5. Sugar free Koolaid packets. Something sweet but low in calories.

6. Cheese and cracker packets, peanut butter and cracker packets. (most are usually ~200 calories but do provide some nutrition)

7. Rice krispie treats (although they aren’t very nutritious, they are only ~100 calories and come drizzled in chocolate for a sweet treat).

8. Pretzels.

9. Granola bars. Consider Quaker granola bars, Nature Valley, etc.

10. Individual servings of dried fruit (raisins for example).

11. Packets of oatmeal or single serve cereal.

Or, you could bypass snacks altogether and give out something totally different:
1. Stickers
2. Fun pencils, pens…
3. Small tablet and pencil for doodling
4. Small coloring books and crayons
5. Small cans of Play-Doh or other modeling clay.
Peruse your local dollar store for some ideas, as some of these alternatives to food may get expensive, depending on the number of kids you expect to knock on your door. Oh, and watch out for lead paint!

I hope that you and your family have a safe and Happy Halloween!

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