Dressing up in fun costumes and going door to door to collect candy is the traditional Halloween celebration.  However, no one needs to eat that much candy!  Here are a few tips to help make Halloween healthier.

  • Wait to buy candy until right before Halloween; you may be tempted to open the bag and sample some
  • Have your children eat a healthy meal or snack before going out to trick-or-treat
  • Offer healthy treats instead of candy:
    • Small boxes of raisins
    • Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
    • 100 calorie snacks or popcorn
    • Pretzels
    • Trail mix
    • Whole grain peanut butter or cheese crackers
  • Hand out non-food items to your trick-or-treaters
    • Glow sticks
    • Bouncy balls
    • yo-yos
    • Pencils or erasers
    • Stickers
  • When the kids get home inspect the candy and allow them to eat a few pieces. Then, with the remaining candy you can:
    • Have them trade it in for a toy or game
    • Donate it- many dentist offices donate candy to troops overseas (see list below)
    • Bring it to work with you
    • Put it away somewhere and allow one piece a day or 2 pieces a week; out of sight out of mind-hopefully they will forget about it after a while

Don’t feel defeated if your children overindulge on candy one day out of the year. The efforts you make towards healthy eating the remainder of the year won’t be forgotten.  Have a safe, happy and healthy Halloween!

Halloween Candy Buy Back locations

To find participating offices, go to www.halloweencandybuyback.com

By Rachel Sestrich, RD, LD, CDE