Healthy Halloween Snacks
It seems that every Halloween someone is talking about giving out alternative treats instead of candy. For anyone who has wondered why someone has to talk about this every year, here is the reason: Because that someone and all of the someones who listen want their children to grow up healthy and happy. The fact is that candy is mainly made up of sugar which can have a detrimental effect on your child's teeth and weight. While a little bit of candy is not bad a lot can be harmful in the long run. You don't mind your children having that little bit, but do you want them eating a bucketful of candy? Of course you wouldn't. So why subject their friends to a ton of unhealthy snacking? Remember karma can be a double-edged sword! So what are the alternatives? The answer is to serve snacks that are a healthy substitute forSnickersbars andM&Ms.
The first thing to remember about offering healthy snacks is it must taste good. Remember how your parents force-fed you vegetables when you were growing up? If you found those particular food items revolting, what makes you think that your kids will line up to eat them? However that does not mean that candy alternatives have to involve a battle. There are plenty of great treats out there that can be a healthy substitute for the sweet stuff. Here are some great things that you can try.
The opposite of sweet.
When you go to the store to shop for Halloween candy have you ever noticed packages of snack-sized bags of pretzels? If you have not, then take a second look. These fun-sized bags of pretzels are located in the same section as all of the candy is. They cost about the same as their sweet alternatives, but will actually be healthier than the candy that they are located next to. If you want some diversity for your snacks,Act IImanufactures fun-sized bags of popcorn that are packaged much like the pretzels. These small bags are very filling and are normally enjoyed by many. So consider adding these bags of popcorn to the snack bowl along with the pretzels.
Go fruity!
Yes fruit is a good alternative that kids will love. Now this does not mean that you can throw an apple into the bags of neighborhood children and life is good. The key to this treat is planning. Instead of plain fruit offer dried fruit as the alternative. Dried fruit does not have a lot of sugar attached to it, and it also tastes good. Your kids will think they are getting a sugary snack that they love, but you will be able to breathe a sigh of relief because you know the truth.
The one with the most toys wins.
This is a treat that branches out of the edible category, but is still well received by kids everywhere. Does this mean that you have to toss in the latestG.I. JoeorTransformerinto their bags? No, there are bags of little skeletons and spiders that you can find in the Halloween aisle that will do the trick nicely. A word to the wise: this particular treat will work best with younger children because of the simplicity of these toys. Older kids may not enjoy a plastic spider or jiggly skeleton.
Cash is always accepted.
Some may consider this a cop out, but at least you don't have to worry about rotten teeth or the sugar rush to end all sugar rushes. The truth is that money can be the best treat to give, because it gives kids a chance to buy something that they might want. You don't have to give out a small fortune either. Many parents over the years have given out quarters as treats, and no child has ever complained.
The healthy alternative to candy argument has been around for a long time. While it may seem that you have heard this song before, consider whether that tune may be beneficial for your children. If so the suggestions listed above will be a great alternative to the unhealthy sweets available. If this doesn't work out, then you could always revert back next year. However give it a chance this year, your kids may enjoy it more.
