In case you’re questioning if you happen to’ve acquired the appropriate weblog, by no means concern… no, I don’t suppose there’s such a factor as wholesome sweet!
By “wholesome” I imply “higher than the alternate options.” This implies they’re constructed from actual meals components, with out synthetic dyes, components, synthetic sweeteners, and all the opposite junk present in typical sweet. Plus you may even make your personal “sweet” that actually is more healthy.
I nonetheless desire candy-free presents or experiences at any time when potential, even at Halloween. However because of firms making sweet with higher components, our household can participate in neighborhood trick-or-treat festivities (with out resorting to handing out seaweed snacks… though I occur to suppose these are additionally scrumptious!).
Wait… Is Wholesome Sweet Good for You?
Given the unfavorable well being results of sugar… no, definitely not! Treats like onerous sweet and gummy sweet with added sugar (and even ones labeled sugar-free) aren’t the healthiest.
I’ve taken some flack for my stance on sugar. (However hey, I can’t assist what the science says.) There have been fairly a couple of years we even skipped events and trick-or-treating altogether.
I’ve experimented with totally different approaches to Halloween (the final word candy-palooza) through the years. As my children acquired older, I made a decision that reasonably than choose out, I might use Halloween as an opportunity for my children to apply making good meals decisions.
Now that extra firms are making higher sweet choices (with components I can truly acknowledge), I’ve been capable of finding some favorites that my children love and I can stay with. Mixing these in (sparingly) with loads of non-candy alternate options makes for a enjoyable, artistic, and wholesome Halloween that I feel is healthier than the unique custom!
More healthy Sweet (& Non-Sweet) Alternate options for Trick-or-Treating
I normally make my very own sweet or chocolate sweet bars after we’re going to have it, however that received’t fly for trick-or-treating. In the event you’re in search of more healthy store-bought sweet, listed here are those that handed the check for us.
In fact, you received’t discover many of those in your native grocery retailer. I’ll typically use my Thrive Market membership to fill up. The costs are low, it’s handy, and I like the choice. Amazon is one other good place to search out them. I’ve even seen sweet choices with much less sugar and extra well being advantages at native well being meals shops.
All the following treats are individually wrapped for trick-or-treating. Bonus, the neighborhood children will most likely like them higher than the junky stuff! You’ll be able to assist them fulfill their candy tooth with more healthy choices.
Begin With a Wholesome Meal
First the great things, then the junk? This holds true at my home on Halloween. These are our favourite Halloween themed meals and snacks which might be excessive protein and have wholesome fats, and fiber. These low-sugar components assist fill everybody up and maintain the sugar rush at bay.
Natural Spooky Fruit Snacks
These gummy packs get their shade and taste from actual meals components like pear juice and carrot juice. A far cry from most store-bought candies, these gummy bears are natural and gluten-free.
Fruit Leather-based Strips
Keep in mind these from the varsity lunch days? This model makes use of actual fruit and skips the corn syrup. They’re additionally plant-based and vegan for many who don’t need the gelatin discovered in lots of gummy snacks (although I occur to like gelatin!).
Grain Free Crackers
Give children a break from all of the candy treats with these yummy grain-free crackers. They’ll by no means know they’re nutritious in addition. These are additionally individually wrapped for straightforward trick-or-treat distribution. Remember that they’re made with almonds if it’s essential fear about nut allergic reactions.
Popcorn Snack Packs
We don’t do popcorn typically, however after we will we select gluten-free and non-GMO. Youngsters and grown-ups alike will love the “buttery” goodness of coconut oil and a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt. They’re additionally low-calorie at solely 50 energy per bag.
Peanut Butter Cups (With out Peanut Butter)
No Halloween trick-or-treating record may very well be full with out peanut butter cups. These Darkish Almond Butter Cups are a scrumptious different and (in my view) even higher than the basic deal with. In the event you want an allergen-friendly model that’s tree nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, then attempt these darkish chocolate sunflower butter cups. Additionally they are available in a peppermint or milk chocolate taste.
Torie & Howard Sweet
These chewy fruit candies look precisely like the favored Starburst candies, however use natural components and no synthetic flavors or colours. Plus, their artistic flavors will tempt even grown-ups: Meyer lemon & raspberry, pomegranate & nectarine, and blood orange & honey. They’re additionally excessive within the antioxidant vitamin C. Torie & Howard additionally supply onerous candies in bulk which might be non-GMO and natural.
Finest Purchase: Pure Lollipops
I do know looking for pure or natural merchandise can imply an actual chew out of the finances, however this time there’s no excuse. I saved one of the best for final with these pure Yum Earth lollipops… 250 natural and real-fruit flavored pops in a bag for lower than 20 cents every!
Non-Sweet Goodies for Trick-or-Treating
Once more, I supply these solely as occasional alternate options for particular events the place sweet is unavoidable (like Halloween), not as weekly/every day meals for youths.
To maintain sweet from being the middle of the vacation, combine in loads of non-edible treats and prizes. They’re nonetheless cheap and youngsters love them! Listed here are 26 concepts of what to offer out at Halloween apart from free sweet.
Different Wholesome Halloween Snacks & Treats (Youngsters Like!)
One technique to restrict sweet is to supply children loads of nutritious meals earlier than heading out to trick-or-treat. Relatively than our traditional dinner, we make some Halloween-themed appetizers to share. I be sure that they’re heavy on protein and fiber (and low on sugar).
Whereas there are 1,000,000 concepts for wholesome Halloween social gathering meals, I’ve solely tried ones which might be easy and simple to organize. I’m not Martha Stewart, however I’m completely happy to report most of those turned out very nicely with little effort and time. Most often, the children have been begging to take over and make them themselves (I allow them to!).
Listed here are some favourite Halloween social gathering snacks and treats we’ve tried:
I additionally maintain some selfmade treats together with some non-candy prizes available for after trick-or-treating. The children money in a few of their much less perfect sweet for enjoyable Halloween jewellery, trinkets, or toys. They normally haven’t any drawback with this and actually look ahead to it.
Have a Completely happy Halloween!
The underside line is, that sharing in neighborhood with our pals and neighbors is a high precedence for us. These choices are about as near wholesome sweet as you may get, they usually’ve made collaborating in trick-or-treating potential for our household. By offering some higher alternate options to the standard Halloween candy-fest, I hope my children can have a constructive outlook on wholesome consuming and get to concentrate on simply having enjoyable!
What do you hand out at Halloween? Have you ever discovered sweet with higher components? Please share!
