Halloween may look different this year, with social distancing guidelines prohibiting fall festivals and possibly everyone’s favorite Halloween tradition: trick or treating.
Even if you won’t be going door to door yelling “trick or treat,” it doesn’t mean the kids (and entire family) can’t still enjoy Halloween at home. Pull out the jack-o’-lanterns, decorate as though you’re competing for the spookiest house on the block, sport those costumes like you’re trying to win first prize in a contest and prepare a delicious Halloween spread your ghouls and goblins will love.
Want to cut back on the sugary snacks? Check out these tricks and spook-tacular treats I’m using this year to curb my family’s Halloween candy consumption.
- Spooky Snacks: Include treats that are nutritious and easy to share. String cheese is a perfect choice because you can do so many fun things with the packaging – like making ghosts and mummies. You’ll be surprised to find that kids will pick the nutrient-rich foods, especially if they are offered in an unexpected way, and they will likely eat one less piece of candy. An added bonus: the protein in cheese can fuel them through the rest of the day.
- Halloween Dinner: Serve up a healthy dinner before the sweet tooth kicks in. Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? This Easy Mac ’n’ Cheesy Soup is a quick, healthy and delicious meal to balance the handful of Halloween candy kiddos may munch on.
- Candy Alternative: Even if trick or treating isn’t an option, you can still serve a fun Halloween-inspired dessert! This Pumpkin Smoothie combines the flavors and spices of fall, plus packs a nutritious punch with vitamin A from pumpkin and two full servings of dairy from yogurt and milk. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three servings of dairy every day, and most Americans are falling short by at least one. So whip up a pitcher of these smoothies to satisfy the kids’ candy cravings and benefit their growing skeletons.
Need more dairy inspiration? Check out our #DairyAmazing Halloween recipes.
