In case you’re questioning in case you’ve bought the suitable weblog, by no means worry… no, I don’t suppose there’s such a factor as wholesome sweet!
By “wholesome” I imply “higher than the options.” This implies they’re constructed from actual meals components, with out synthetic dyes, components, synthetic sweeteners, and all the opposite junk present in typical sweet. Plus you may even make your personal “sweet” that actually is more healthy.
I nonetheless want candy-free items or experiences every time potential, even at Halloween. However due to firms making sweet with higher components, our household can participate in neighborhood trick-or-treat festivities (with out resorting to handing out seaweed snacks… though I occur to suppose these are additionally scrumptious!).
Wait… Is Wholesome Sweet Good for You?
Given the damaging well being results of sugar… no, actually not! Treats like arduous sweet and gummy sweet with added sugar (and even ones labeled sugar-free) aren’t the healthiest.
I’ve taken some flack for my stance on sugar. (However hey, I can’t assist what the science says.) There have been fairly just a few years we even skipped events and trick-or-treating altogether.
I’ve experimented with completely different approaches to Halloween (the final word candy-palooza) over time. As my youngsters bought older, I made a decision that relatively than decide out, I may use Halloween as an opportunity for my youngsters to observe making good meals decisions.
Now that extra firms are making higher sweet choices (with components I can truly acknowledge), I’ve been capable of finding some favorites that my youngsters love and I can stay with. Mixing these in (sparingly) with loads of non-candy options makes for a enjoyable, artistic, and wholesome Halloween that I feel is best than the unique custom!
More healthy Sweet (& Non-Sweet) Options for Trick-or-Treating
I often make my very own sweet or chocolate sweet bars once we’re going to have it, however that gained’t fly for trick-or-treating. For those who’re on the lookout for more healthy store-bought sweet, listed here are those that handed the take a look at for us.
In fact, you gained’t discover many of those in your native grocery retailer. I’ll typically use my Thrive Market membership to top off. The costs are low, it’s handy, and I really like the choice. Amazon is one other good place to seek out them. I’ve even seen sweet choices with much less sugar and extra well being advantages at native well being meals shops.
All the following treats are individually wrapped for trick-or-treating. Bonus, the neighborhood youngsters will most likely like them higher than the junky stuff! You’ll be able to assist them fulfill their candy tooth with more healthy choices.
Begin With a Wholesome Meal
First the good things, then the junk? This holds true at my home on Halloween. These are our favourite Halloween themed meals and snacks which might be excessive protein and have wholesome fats, and fiber. These low-sugar components assist fill everybody up and preserve the sugar rush at bay.
Natural Spooky Fruit Snacks
These gummy packs get their shade and taste from actual meals components like pear juice and carrot juice. A far cry from most store-bought candies, these gummy bears are natural and gluten-free.
Fruit Leather-based Strips
Bear in mind these from the varsity lunch days? This model makes use of actual fruit and skips the corn syrup. They’re additionally plant-based and vegan for individuals who don’t need the gelatin discovered in lots of gummy snacks (although I occur to like gelatin!).
Grain Free Crackers
Give youngsters a break from all of the candy treats with these yummy grain-free crackers. They’ll by no means know they’re nutritious besides. These are additionally individually wrapped for simple trick-or-treat distribution. Bear in mind that they’re made with almonds if you should fear about nut allergy symptoms.
Popcorn Snack Packs
We don’t do popcorn typically, however once we will we select gluten-free and non-GMO. Youngsters and grown-ups alike will love the “buttery” goodness of coconut oil and a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt. They’re additionally low-calorie at solely 50 energy per bag.
Peanut Butter Cups (With out Peanut Butter)
No Halloween trick-or-treating record may very well be full with out peanut butter cups. These Darkish Almond Butter Cups are a scrumptious different and (in my view) even higher than the basic deal with. For those who want an allergen-friendly model that’s tree nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, then attempt these darkish chocolate sunflower butter cups. In addition they are available in a peppermint or milk chocolate taste.
Torie & Howard Sweet
These chewy fruit candies look precisely like the favored Starburst candies, however use natural components and no synthetic flavors or colours. Plus, their artistic flavors will tempt even grown-ups: Meyer lemon & raspberry, pomegranate & nectarine, and blood orange & honey. They’re additionally excessive within the antioxidant vitamin C. Torie & Howard additionally supply arduous candies in bulk which might be non-GMO and natural.
Greatest Purchase: Pure Lollipops
I do know searching for pure or natural merchandise can imply an actual chew out of the price range, however this time there’s no excuse. I saved the perfect for final with these pure Yum Earth lollipops… 250 natural and real-fruit flavored pops in a bag for lower than 20 cents every!
Non-Sweet Goodies for Trick-or-Treating
Once more, I supply these solely as occasional options for particular events the place sweet is unavoidable (like Halloween), not as weekly/day by day meals for teenagers.
To maintain sweet from being the middle of the vacation, combine in loads of non-edible treats and prizes. They’re nonetheless cheap and youngsters love them! Listed below are 26 concepts of what to provide out at Halloween in addition to free sweet.
Different Wholesome Halloween Snacks & Treats (Youngsters Like!)
One technique to restrict sweet is to supply youngsters loads of nutritious meals earlier than heading out to trick-or-treat. Fairly than our standard dinner, we make some Halloween-themed appetizers to share. I be sure they’re heavy on protein and fiber (and low on sugar).
Whereas there are one million concepts for wholesome Halloween celebration meals, I’ve solely tried ones which might be easy and simple to organize. I’m not Martha Stewart, however I’m joyful to report most of those turned out very effectively with little effort and time. Generally, the youngsters have been begging to take over and make them themselves (I allow them to!).
Listed below are some favourite Halloween celebration snacks and treats we’ve tried:
I additionally preserve some do-it-yourself treats together with some non-candy prizes available for after trick-or-treating. The youngsters money in a few of their much less splendid sweet for enjoyable Halloween jewellery, trinkets, or toys. They often haven’t any downside with this and actually look ahead to it.
Have a Comfortable Halloween!
The underside line is, that sharing in neighborhood with our mates and neighbors is a high precedence for us. These choices are about as near wholesome sweet as you may get, they usually’ve made taking part in trick-or-treating potential for our household. By offering some higher options to the standard Halloween candy-fest, I hope my youngsters could have a optimistic outlook on wholesome consuming and get to deal with simply having enjoyable!
What do you hand out at Halloween? Have you ever discovered sweet with higher components? Please share!