Easy Ways to Avoid Handing Out Candy and Making Healthy Options Available for the Trick-or-treaters Who Tap at Your Door

With childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes on the rise, not to mention the high prices for candy this year, Halloween is the ideal time to get off the candy habit and hand out something healthier for the little ghouls and goblins who tap at your door this Halloween.

Since candy adds to obesity problems, can cause dental problems the least of which are cavaties, make children hyper on a sugar rush, contribute to the traditional Halloween tummyache, and contribute to other health issues, take charge and change over from candy.

One of the best traditional treats for Halloween that isn’t candy are popcorn balls. Back when I was growing up, many folks still made home made popcorn balls but today I would suggest the inexpensive, ready made popcorn balls found in stores. Each is individually wrapped and the cost is very low. Popcorn is a healthy food and popcorn balls pack a whole lot less sugar and calories than candy. Look for popcorn balls near the snack aisle or special Halloween section of your favorite supermarket or discount store.

Another popcorn alternative would be to hand out individual bags of microwave popcorn that kids can take home to pop later. These are cheap and no sugar!

Granola bars are another easy option. Look for granola bars with the healthiest ingredients. Quaker markets several lower sugar granola bars that have all the taste but far less sugar. Most granola bars are healthy but be sure to check the ingredients to be sure you’re not passing out something with as much sugar as candy.

Cereal bars are a newer popular option instead of candy. Most of us know about Rice Krispy bars because our moms and grandmas made them from the recipe on the box but did you know that today you can buy Rice Krispy bars in individually wrapped servings by the box? And in additon to the traditional flavor, they also are available in other flavors that include both chocolate and strawberry.

Other cereal bars available include the very popular Special K bars. I eat these all the time as a low calorie, low sugar snack and so my kids. They are also available individually wrapped in several flavors, drizzled with chocolate is one of my favorites.

Although the cost isn’t as low, fresh fruit – like apples – are another old-fashioned popular Halloween treat. Kids who get fresh fruit in their goodie bag are advised to have mom or dad wash, then cut the apple into section or slices before eating just in case some meanie has pulled the old “razor blade” trick but other than that, fresh fruit is a great alternative to candy for Halloween.

Peanuts and other nuts are another idea. These are available in indivual packages as well. So are sunflower seeds!

Animal crackers are another traditional kid friendly favorite. And these also come in individual serving sizes within a large box. They are low in fat, limited in sugar, and high on taste. Both frosted and unfrosted versions are available just about everywhere.

Or opt for cookie snacks, staying with types of cookies that are not totally loaded with sugar. Check the snack aisle for various individual serving packages of cookies and share the love with favorites like Oreos or Chips Ahoy!

String cheese is something else kids love to eat. Look for it in the grocer’s dairy case. Each cheese string is invidually wrapped and they come in large bags. Kids can enjoy these favorites without worrying about sugar and they are healthy!

It may sound silly but how about handing out individual boxes of kid-friendly cereal? Multi packs are available at just about every supermarket and tossing a small box of cereal in a kid’s trick or treat sack gives the little one something nutritious for breakfast!

There are many ways to opt for something besides candy this Halloween and these choices are all tasty, easy on the budget, have little or no sugar, and are great alternative choices to handing out candy for Halloween!!!!

via Best Non-Candy Halloween Treats « zikkir.

Tags: candy, cavaties, children, diabetes, halloween, obesity, treats, tummyache