If you know me, you know I’m all about enjoying sweets and treats in moderation. And, I’m not the only one. My husband, Chris, also has a mean sweet tooth! In fact, he’s often the first one to reach for the sweets. That said, the consequences of consuming too much sugar are evident– and they can be detrimental. So, while I’m not opposed to enjoying treats on Halloween, there are a variety of healthy Halloween treats available today that are much better for our bodies and minds!
Why Should You Opt for Healthy Halloween Treats
While sugar is sweet to our taste buds, it’s rotten for our health. The consequences of sugar consumption run far and wide, including an increased risk of oral cavities, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression/anxiety, and more.
When it comes to our children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two consume a diet without any added sugar. After the age of two, children should consume less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day. I don’t know about you, but I can add up 6 teaspoons of sugar pretty quickly!
So, in my professional and personal opinion, we should be doing everything to practice moderation when it comes to our sugar consumption. More so, it’s up to us to teach our children healthy eating habits– even on Halloween!
3 Healthy Halloween Treats
In today’s health conscious society, there are many alternatives to sugary Halloween treats available to us, including:
- Smart Sweets– The Smart Sweets brand offers many classic candy favorites without copious amounts of added sugar. You can find individual packages of their healthier candy options to pass out for trick-or-treaters. The most popular Smart Sweets candies include Swedish fish, gummy bears, red licorice, caramels, and so much more!
- Organic Fruit Gummies- There are a variety of health brands that make organic fruit gummies with simple, natural ingredients, including Solely, Annie’s, and Black Forest. Oftentimes, you can find these treats in single serving packages– perfect for trick-or-treaters!
- Homemade Treats– While you might not want to pass out homemade treats to kids trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, these are healthier options for any Halloween parties or events: Halloween Brownie Bites, 5 Ingredient Chocolate Bark, and Gluten Free Monster Cookies. These recipes would also make great gifts for teachers, parents, or coaches.
Luckily, it’s not too hard to find healthier Hallween treats– whether store-bought or homemade. It just takes a little intentionality!
Alternatives to Halloween Candy
In the spirit of health, if you decide to forgo passing out candy to trick-or-treaters all together (and eliminate the temptation of candy for yourself), you can find non-food alternatives, such as:
- Stickers
- Small toys
- Crayons
- Mini coloring books
- Kid jewelry
- Bubbles
- Finger puppets
This Halloween, we can make our health a priority and enjoy the festivities of the season by indulging in healthier Halloween treats! Will you join me?
