Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. It’s the dressing up, mostly… the chance to be someone or something else for a day! I don’t mind the candy, either.
But the candy is definitely a mixed blessing. Halloween can be a BIG test of your willpower and diet abilities! So what are some healthy alternatives?
- Fruit. Apples and oranges are usually easily found during the fall months — and they’re good for you! Handing out fruit might not make you very popular with the kids… but the parents might appreciate the healthy snack appearing in the goodie bags.
- 100 calorie bags. A lot of snack makers have hopped on the portion control bandwagon. By dishing up everything from cookies to chips and crackers in single serving 100 calorie bags, you can get a taste of the stuff you love without going overboard.
- Popcorn. Compared to chips, popcorn can be a healthier alternative. Just watch for flavored popcorns with added fat… and keep an eye on the sodium content.
- Baked chips. Baked chips are a lower-fat alternative to fried potato (and other) chips. Individual bags are a big help with portion control, provided you actually do eat just one bag at a sitting.
- Gift certificates. Back when I was doing my trick-or-treating, there were some folks in the neighborhood who handed out gift certificates to the local bowling alley instead of candy (a free game, a free shoe rental, etc). This way, you’re giving the gift of a fun outing with family or friends… and avoiding the food problem entirely.
- Inflatables. Hit the dollar store for some beach balls (may be too late for that this year, but keep it in mind for next summer). They’re relatively safe for indoor play (compared to other balls) and encourage activity.
If you’ve got the willpower, candy doesn’t have to be awful. It’s going overboard that’s really bad for you! One piece a day as dessert probably won’t send you off into a chocolate binge. Hiding the Halloween leftovers might help — if it’s out of sight, it might be out of mind, too.
One last idea for a healthy handout: an actual meal. Families expend lots of energy running around from door to door and from party to party on Halloween. Maybe you and a neighbor could chip in for a six foot sub or some other dinner-type item and make your yards into a place where families can stop off and refuel before heading out again.