Happy (Healthy) Halloween Ideas

Halloween is a magical time of year here in Northwest Arkansas. Homes are adorned with festive fall decor, including hay bales, pumpkins and mums, against a backdrop of changing leaves.

Of course, the sweet treats distributed to trick-or-treaters and presented at Halloween parties are arguably the most popular component of the holiday. Candy is everywhere come Halloween. The National Confectioners’ Association (NCA) reports that Halloween is the largest confectionary holiday, followed by Easter and Christmas. The National Retail Federation and NCA indicate the average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy around Halloween, and 600 million pounds of candy are purchased across the country for the holiday.

Everyone can do their part to keep kids on a healthy track this Halloween by offering more nutritious fare to trick-or-treaters. While homemade treats used to reign supreme, concerns about contamination and food allergies have convinced most people to offer prepackaged items. Here are some ideas:

• Fruit juice boxes that are 100% juice

• Sugar-free gum

• Fruit cups with fruit juice rather than light or heavy syrups

• Packaged sliced apples

• Bags of air-popped popcorn (light or free of butter)

• Bags of baked chips or pretzels

• Whole grain granola bars or trail mixes

• Boxes of raisins or dried cranberries

• Snack packs featuring crackers or sliced vegetables and dips, like hummus

Nonfood giveaways can also make trick-or-treaters smile. Consider:

• Stickers

• Pencils (including scented varieties)

• Marker sets

• Bouncy balls

• Fidget toys

• Spooky accessories like vampire teeth or spider rings

• Silly string cans

• Modeling clay, play doughs or kinetic sands

Halloween doesn’t have to be bogged down by extra sugar and unhealthy options. While those treats can be eaten in moderation, trick-or-treaters can enjoy a variety of nutritious fare as well.

Is it possible to escape the Halloween sugar overload? For those who want to enjoy some healthier snack options, here are some not-so-frightening ideas:

• Pizza mummy: Use slices of toasted sandwich bread or English muffins to make some spooktacular fare. Coat the bread with pizza sauce. Then place thin, vertical slices of mozzarella cheese in a haphazard pattern to replicate the look of gauze on a mummy. Two pieces of sliced black olives serve as the eyes.

• White, orange and yellow platter: Simulate the look of candy corns’ white, orange and yellow color palette with healthier offerings. Stack cauliflower, or another white food like monterey jack cheese, baby carrots and yellow bell peppers on a platter. Serve with your favorite dip.

• Deviled brains: Turn regular deviled eggs into something more sinister for Halloween buffet tables. Simply add food coloring to the filling to create a pinkish-brown hue that resembles a human brain. Then use a piping bag fitted with a thin icing tip to pipe the shape of brains onto the hardboiled egg halves.

• Veggie skeleton: Use assorted vegetable slices, cheese sticks, fruits, nuts, and more to inspire a Halloweeninspired charcuterie board. Arrange everything to resemble a skeleton on the platter.

• Ghostly bananas: Insert popsicle sticks into the bottoms of bananas and freeze until solid. Prepare white melting chocolate according to directions, then dip the frozen bananas into it. While wet, stick on two mini chocolate chips to make the eyes of the ghosts. Place in the refrigerator to harden.

• Spider crackers: Spread a relatively thick layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter if allergies are not a concern) on a round cracker. Cut thin pretzel sticks in half and use four on each side to make spider legs, sticking them into the cream cheese. Top with another cracker and secure to the cream cheese. Raisins connected with more cream cheese complete the eyes of the spiders.