Is Halloween your favorite time of year but you find yourself seeking some better-for-you snacking alternatives or different wellness-focused ways to celebrate the holiday? Take a more modern approach and build your own Halloween traditions that are a little outside the box … or should we say jack-o-lantern? Trust us, when it comes to a wellness-inspired Halloween, a little creativity goes a long way. Here are some ways to keep health in mind when you still want to celebrate the spooky season.
Hand out candy alternatives
There are plenty of houses on the block handing out sour straws and suckers. Step it up this year and try fruit leather, honey sticks, or even non-candy items like temporary tattoos and friendship bracelets. What cool things to find in the bottom of your plastic jack-o-lantern at the end of the night!
Fill up on a healthy dinner
Make something festive and filling to get you in the holiday spirit. Eating before the festivities begin means you’re satiated and not completely candy crazy when you go trick-or-treating with your kids or host a gathering at home. Try this seasonal Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili or this Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not in the mood for a second candy bar.
Trick-or-treating tips
Bring back the smaller trick-or-treating buckets and leave the pillowcases in the past to keep candy portions mindful. And when it comes to your trick-or-treating route, try taking the long way — find a neighborhood that’s within range but a little farther to get to. Also, remind your kids that it’s in everyone’s good graces to take one piece of candy from the neighbor’s bowl, not a handful.
What to do with all that excess candy
No one needs fifty Hershey bars. Use it for baking in the future; just freeze it for later. Have a fussy child who won’t give up the sweet treats? The next time your child wants a piece of candy, pair it with a more mindful choice like some walnuts or a banana with peanut butter.
Do something besides trick-or-treating
Host a craft party! Dress up and make caramel apples, frankenguac, and coffee filter ghost lollipops. Or get into those Dracula and princess costumes and go see a scary movie in that old theater downtown with the whole family. What a fun new tradition!