By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

Halloween might just be my favorite holiday. All of the excitement surrounding costumes, decorations and chocolate goodies makes my heart sing! Although my son is still too young to enjoy candy, I still get enjoyment out of taking him from door to door trick-or-treating. He loves to get involved by handing out goodies at our door as well! Here are some tips for you at home:

Healthy Trick or Treat Ideas: Create a safe environment by handing out glow-sticks, stickers, toothbrushes, fancy pencil toppers, bookmarks and coloring books.

Handling candy at home

• Keep candy in a location only accessible to you. Consider giving away the candy or disposing of it after a few days.
• Inventory the Halloween treats for forbidden and safe treats; allow a few pieces on Halloween night.
• Give one piece of candy along with a healthy food such as fresh fruit or at the conclusion of a healthy lunch or dinner.
• Always brush your teeth after eating candy – perhaps there is a new toothbrush in your Halloween bag!

Healthy Halloween Party!

This is a great opportunity to offer better-for-you Halloween treats parents and kids can enjoy together.

• Veggie and cheese kabobs – garnish serving tray with plastic spiders, bugs, and bats!
• Pick up mini Halloween candy bags and fill with home-made trail mix. Combine dried fruits such cranberries, apricots & raisins with granola and dark chocolate pieces.
• Invite your guests to make their own chocolate covered apples and dip in pecan pieces, coconut, or cereal.
• Bake quick breads such as zucchini and banana bread – add apples, pears or dried fruits for extra sweetness and nutrients.
• Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin and apples. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, baked apples, apple cider are all popular choices.
• Party activity ideas: decorating pumpkins, dunking for apples, costume contest, pin the heart on the scarecrow, face painting and decorating cookies or cupcakes.

 Apple Monster Bites

Try these toothsome treats as a Halloween activity or serve as a fun and healthy treat at your Halloween party!

Makes 4 Apple Monster Bites 

Ingredients:

• 1 Apple, green or red
• 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• 2 Strawberries
• 12-15 Slivered Almonds
• 3 to 4 White Chocolate circles
• 3 to 4 Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter being careful not to cut all the way through so that the quarter stays in one piece.
2. Spread peanut butter into each hallow wedge. Press slivered almonds in place for teeth.
3. Cut the strawberries lengthwise to resemble the tongue and place inside hallow wedge with peanut butter.
4. Spread a small amount of peanut butter on one side of each white chocolate circle and place on apple above “teeth”.
5. If you’re not going to serve them right away, baste the apples with orange juice to keep them from browning.

Recipe & Image by Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA