With Halloween coming up this Friday, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about this holiday and provide a few tips. First off, candy (like most things) is OK in moderation, but it would probably be best for you and your waistline if you leave the eating candy in the bowl. However, since I am big on healthy nutrition being a lifestyle rather then a diet I think it would be beneficial for you and your children if you provided the neighborhood kids with some healthier Halloween treats. Below are a few fun healthy treats you may want to buy or make and hand out this Friday night.
– You can always buy individual fruit to hand out (apples, oranges, nectarines)
– Dark chocolate provides some antioxidants (just buy any kind of individually wrapped dark chocolate candy… it doesn’t have to come in Halloween packaging!)
– Individually wrapped crackers, mini microwave popcorn packets, nuts, seeds, raisins, string cheese, sugar-free hot cocoa packets
– If you’re feeling really ambitious, you could make your own Halloween trail-mix to hand out. Try this recipe:
Trick or Treat Trail Mix
1 cup of pretzel sticks or mini pretzel twists
1 cup of reduced-fat cheese crackers (Reduced Fat Cheese Nips)
1 cup lightly salted roasted or party peanuts (or similar nut)
1 cup orange or black dried fruit (raisins or dried apricots or peaches)
1/2 cup Halloween M&Ms (optional)
Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl and toss to mix well.
Use a 1/2 cup measure to scoop out 1/2 cup of the mixture into a zip-top or plastic bag. Tie the ends closed with orange and black curling ribbon or decorative wire.
Makes 9 (1/2 cup) bags
Per serving: 213 calories, 6 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat, 2.5 g fiber, 227 mg sodium.
*Recipe provided from webmd.com