Halloween is the official kick-off of the holiday season. So the next few months will be rich with parties, festivals, and of course, food! While it’s okay to indulge in a few treats in moderation, it’s easy to forget to eat mindfully and watch your portions when celebrating with others at this time of year. So whether you’re trick-or-treating with your children or grandchildren and nibbling on their candy stash or donning a costume and enjoying your own spooky Halloween festivities, here are 5 healthy Halloween nutrition tips to help keep you on track!
1.) Serve healthy treats too. If you’re hosting a Halloween soiree or attending a party, don’t be afraid to add some spooky and healthy treats. Banana ghosts, clementine pumpkins, witches brooms made from pretzel sticks and low fat string cheese; there are tons of wonderful, healthy Halloween treats to indulge in. Pinterest is ripe with fast, easy and fun ideas!
2.) Fill up your tummy before you feel up your trick-or-treat bag. Heading out for a night on the town? Trick-or-treating with the tots? Have a nice sit down meal rich in fiber and whole foods. Having a healthy meal before attending a party or pounding the pavement for goodies in the neighborhood can reduce the temptation to mindlessly snack or overindulge.
3.) Buy smart. Passing out candy to trick-or-treaters but don’t want to have bags of your favorite tempting treats in the house? Buy your least favorite candy and don’t buy more than you need.
4.) Fit in fitness. Whether you’re racing through the neighborhood with your little ghouls and goblins or dancing the night away and fall festival celebration, Halloween can be a fun physical activity event and a great way to burn calories while you enjoy yourself.
5.) Get rid of the goods. What do you do when Halloween is long over but you still have enough candy left over to restock the shelves at your local grocery store? You get rid of it! Having unhealthy treats in the house only encourages consuming extra calories and excessive snacking that can lead to bad habits. No need to start the holiday spiral of food shame this year. You can donate your Halloween candy to a local cause or see if your dentists’ office has a buy-back or trade-in program. Start your season of giving early this year!
Regardless of how you spend your Halloween or fall festival celebration, just remember that it’s okay to have fun without over indulging and feeling guilty about it. Having a plan and staying mindful can do wonders for your wellness journey. If you’d like to learn more about healthy Halloween tips or how to encourage healthier eating habits for your and your family, please contact Right Nutrition Works today!
Prajakta Apte, RDN is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist who works with individuals who want to be more conscious about their health but who may struggle with knowing what’s accurate and want to have a complete makeover by learning how to transform their understanding of nutrition and health. By doing so, they can be more confident about their nutritional health and be known as experts in health and nutrition among their tribe.
Prajakta Apte, RDN
Right Nutrition Works
18789 N Reems Rd, Suite 260-I
Surprise AZ 85374
623-556-3886
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