For a healthier Halloween, hand out these trick-or-treat alternatives

Joanna Kriehn, MS, RDN, CDCES - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

Looking for healthy trick-or-treat alternatives? Here are some creative alternatives to candy that parents won't mind finding in their kids' Halloween haul. Support better health this Halloween!

Trick-or-treat alternatives that your kids will enjoy

We all know that most kids eat a LOT of candy on Halloween, the weeks leading up to it, and the weeks following. Did you know the average kid who goes trick-or-treating on Halloween will eat about three cups of sugar from candy? That translates to 2300 calories or 600g of sugar, often in one sitting! Yet, it’s not just our kids who are eating all of this candy. Moms, Dads–who hasn't sorted out the candy stash and swiped some treats for yourself? That tactic makes it much harder to control our weight.

Why not get creative this year and do something different and better? Contribute to the growing number of parents setting a new standard by distributing healthy Halloween treats to trick-or-treaters? Take a look at these ideas to find something that works for you and your family.

Colorful candy alternatives

Apple slices

Help kids meet their daily fruit servings by handing out individually wrapped sliced apples. Choose from red or green apples, which are good sources of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Fruit leather or strips

Fruit takes on a whole new look when dried and pressed. Look for those containing whole fruits and juices without added sugars. Fruit leathers give you a chance to expose kids to new flavors such as mango, pomegranate, or even veggies such as sweet potatoes or beets, which may be included in these fruit-based snacks.

Juice

There is a big push for parents to serve only water and milk to their kids to save calories as they move through childhood. If juice is a special occasion item in your house, why not treat the neighborhood (and your kids) to a box of 100% juice this Halloween?

Non-food trick-or-treat alternatives

Non-food gifts are a creative and safe alternative, especially for kiddos with food allergies. Much of the candy traditionally passed out at Halloween contains peanuts or milk, two of the most common allergens.

Here are some non-food options that any kid is sure to enjoy! Of course, be careful not to give tiny items to children under three as they may be a choking hazard.

Glow sticks or small glow-in-the-dark toys
Bouncy balls
Mini plush and wind-up toys
Crayons and coloring books
Stickers or stamps
Temporary tattoos
Bubbles
Spider rings or vampire’s teeth
Glow-in-the-dark rings or bracelets
Slime, putty, or squishy toys
Friendship bracelets

Healthier, snack-sized treats

Want to hand out an edible treat yet looking for something beyond candy? These single-serving snacks are lower in sugar and less processed.

Pretzels
Popcorn
Trail mix
Bite-size Rice Krispie treats
Mini Lara bars™ (made with only fruit and nuts)
Justin’s™ nut butter packets

Remember to save your creative Halloween food creations for your own parties. It is not safe and sanitary to hand out homemade treats that aren’t individually packaged. Keep your children safe by ensuring they talk to you first before eating homemade treats that you or your family did not prepare.

Permit yourself this year to be that house and pass out a trick-or-treat candy alternative. Knowing there is no tempting candy awaiting the witching hour at your home will give you and your family more energy to enjoy decorating, dressing up, and getting out to enjoy the spirit of this super-fun holiday!