You don’t need to totally surrender to the sugar rush this year. Bringing attractive, low-sugar treats to parties will give children (and their parents) something fun and healthier to munch on.
Mandarin Jack-o-Lanterns
Children love drawing the faces on these mandarin jack-o-lanterns and the fun of the finished product may just entice them away from the candy bag.
However, the ink they use will get on their fingers so you may want to order some non-toxic markers ahead of time or have Halloween napkins on hand to hold the fruit when they peel it.
These are also great for trick-or-treaters if you live in a neighborhood where fruit will be trusted.
Pumpkin Face Veggie Platter
A pumpkin themed veggie platter will give everyone at the party a welcome reprieve from sweet treats.
You can make a super simple, healthier ranch dressing by combining 3 parts greek yogurt to 1 part (or 1/2 a part) mayonnaise or extra virgin olive oil, with a garlic powder, dill, and salt to taste.
Banana Ghosts and Tangerine Pumpkins
Banana ghosts and tangerine pumpkins make great, fresh Halloween party dishes. For an extra sweet kick, use semi-sweet dark chocolate chips for the eyes of the ghosts. For less sweetness, press in some raisins or currants.
Monster Mouths
Apple slices with peanut or almond butter make these monster mouths protein and vitamin-rich.
The yogurt covered raisins do add a dose of sugar, so you can try plain yellow raisins (tell the children monsters don’t brush their teeth); or white chocolate chips, which actually can have less sugar than the yogurt covered raisins (but check before you buy because not all brands are created equal).
For a vegan option, non-dairy white chocolate chips can be ordered online.
Jack-O-Lantern Fruit Salad Cups
Apple slices, peanut or almond butter, and yogurt covered raisins make protein and vitamin-rich monster mouths, with a lot less sugar than most treats.
If you’ve got some time on your hands, or some children who need a project, these orange jack-o-lantern fruit salad cups are fun and oh-so-healthy. If your children are too young to carve, they can enjoy watching and stuffing the bowls.
And when you’re planning your treat selection, remember that non-food items like stickers, or glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls or wands are great for goodie bags.
If you have a favorite healthy Halloween recipe, we’d love to hear about it. Connect with Epoch Fit on social (see below) or email: NYC_Health@epochtimes.com.
