How to bring HEALTHY into your Halloween – Without making you scared!

Halloween is just around the corner. Our candy buckets will soon be overflowing with chocolate, gooey, chewy, sugar-loaded morsels, most of which will stick around our pantry through most of the winter months ahead. These little calorie-packed diet bombs can be the demise to the best laid healthy eating plans for you and your kids.

The National Confectioners Association came out with a fantastic tool sheet to moderate candy intake. These suggestions provide about 50-100 calories per day:
• 15 jelly beans (60 calories)
• 1 snack/fun size candy bar (80 calories)
• 2 pieces licorice (50 calories)
• 3-5 pieces hard candy (60 calories)
• 2 bite-sized peanut butter cups (90 calories)
• 2-4 bite-sized chocolates (90 calories)

Keep in mind, it may seem small, but adding about 50 calories per day can actually increase our weight by about 5 pounds per year! Rather than increase our waistlines, this year follow some tips from FEED to ensure a Healthy Halloween.

1. Plan ahead – Talk to your kids about Halloween; make it known that candy doesn’t need to be a part of their daily diet.
2. Set a good example – Encourage healthier treats such as snacks with whole grain or 100% fruit (IE: popcorn, raisins, fruit leathers).
3. Enjoy Trick or Treating – Avoid indulging until you get home.
4. Consume in moderation – Limit to about 50 calories or less per day.
5. Choose treats that contain protein – Skip those with concentrated sugars. Candy containing nuts may feel more satisfying and curb cravings quicker.

Use these tricks and enjoy only few treats on this Halloween!