No Tricks Here: Three Treats for a Healthy Halloween

Candy-filled holidays like Halloween don’t have to totally derail healthy habits. With a little creativity, educators and parents can easily put a healthier twist on traditional spooky treats and activities. Read on for three fun ways to encourage trick-or-treaters to exercise and eat healthy:

1. Serve a healthy breakfast
Kids are bound to eat at least some sugary snacks on Halloween, so help them start the day right with one of these healthy, hearty breakfast ideas:

• “Banana ghosts” and “clementine pumpkins” We love this nutritious and whimsical recipe from Produce for Kids’ Pinterest page that puts a Halloween-twist on fruit: http://bit.ly/19Xuaay
• Pumpkin fruit buffet Offer kids a variety of fresh fruit options like orange slices, blueberries, strawberries and grapes in a fun pumpkin shape. Check out the Pinterest recipe from Matoaka Elementary PTA in Williamsburg, Virginia: http://bit.ly/1a1j2Ny
• Halloween pancakes Add some orange food-coloring to this Health.com recipe for healthy pancakes made with applesauce, walnuts and golden raisins. For an extra touch, pour the batter into a jack-o-lantern shaped cookie cutter.

2. Consider healthy or non-food treats in the classroom
Parents and educators can offer healthier treats in the classroom to get kids excited about Halloween without the unnecessary sugar from candy. The first two breakfast recipes above could also serve as great healthy Halloween classroom snacks! Here are some of our other favorite recipes:

• Spider deviled eggs Hardboiled eggs are a protein powerhouse! This recipe adds black olives for a “creepy-crawly” touch.
• Bat bites These cheese chunk, grape and tortilla chip “bats” are a fun, savory alternative to candy bars.
• Pepper and Orange “Pumpkins” Parents can carve a face into an orange bell pepper and use it as a veggie cup. Read the recipe from Mississippi’s WDAM-TV: http://bit.ly/1fP83ck

For educators looking for non-food prizes for classroom Halloween games or parents seeking substitutes for sugary trick-or-treating goodies, check out this comprehensive list from Clemson University Cooperative Extensive Service, which includes glow sticks and temporary tattoos: http://bit.ly/18B0yRO

3. Encourage kids to move around during the school day
Educators can integrate physical activity into Halloween parties by organizing a “parade” through different classrooms or even around the school’s neighborhood. For young students, teachers can play Halloween songs throughout the day and encourage kids to get up and dance for two to three minute bursts of activity. Check out our previous blog for more tips on bringing healthy messaging into the classroom – and put your own Halloween twist on the activities!

How are you celebrating a healthy Halloween at home and at school? Tweet us @BagtheJunk, write on our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.