5 Healthier Halloween Treats
Here's the thing about Halloween candy: At 80 calories apiece, a fun size peanut-packed bar is a perfectly innocent treat. But the trick, at least for me and most people I know, is to stick with just one bar. With all the candy lying around, it's so tempting-and all too easy-to swallow hundreds of extra calories over the course of the night, not to mention the days that follow. So in order to avoid weeks of candy binges and sugar comas, here are a few healthier ideas for Halloween giveaways that will leave your kids happy and your waistline intact (that is, if they're willing to share).
1. Wonderful Pistachios "Frankenweenie": Packed in Halloween-themed individual bags, pistachios are delicious, fun to eat, and loaded with antioxidants and healthy fats. "Frankenweenie" bags can be found in Walmart stores nationwide.
Related: Tricks for Eating Halloween Treats without Gaining Weight
2. Angie's Authentic Kettle Corn: Popcorn is a surprising source of whole grains. Each 70-calorie bag strikes the perfect balance of salty and sweet-with just a teaspoon of sugar per serving.
3. Granola/Snack Bars: Granola bars aren't what they used to be. (Trust us, we've just nibbled through 1028 different varieties!) Take advantage of the fun snack bar flavors on the market and swap out your candy for bars that taste just as good, but have added protein, fiber, and vitamins. Some kid-friendly and calorie-friendly winners: Special K Bar Chocolatey Pretzel, South Beach Diet Snack Bar in Fudgy Chocolate Mint, and Kashi Dark Chocolate Coconut Layered Granola Bar.
Related: Halloween DIY Craft Ideas
4. Trail Mix: Stock up on individual bags of different varieties of trail mix so kids can choose one that suits their taste. They're a little high on the calorie-meter, but with fiber and protein, those calories work hard at filling you up.
5. Oatmeal Packets: Apple Cinnamon, Brown Sugar Maple, Cinnamon Sugar, and Creamy Vanilla - let's face it, most instant oatmeal flavors sound just like dessert anyway. Offer trick-or-treaters packets of instant oatmeal in a variety of flavors so that they have a delicious treat to enjoy the morning after Halloween.
What are your family's favorite healthy Halloween treats? Let me know in the comments!
-by Samantha Cassetty, M.S., R.D.
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