Healthy Halloween Treats and “Boo” tiful Snacks

Soon, little ghosts and goblins will be ringing doorbells and shouting for tricks or treats. But what is a health-conscious parent to do? Countless parents are concerned about the impact of obesity on their children; and, furthermore, all of the chewy, sticky candy and sugary treats are not good for kids either when considering oral health and hygiene. The sugars and the acids in candy feed bacteria that cause tooth decay. Kids, by nature, often eat too much sugar. Did you know that by age 8, the average American child today has eaten more sugar than the average adult did over the course of a lifetime 100 years ago? Sugar is hidden in so many foods and drinks today, making it a very difficult process when trying to make wise food and snack choices for children—especially for Halloween.

            Fortunately, there are healthy alternatives that parents can hand out to those little “trick-or-treaters.” A little ingenuity can go a long way toward providing healthier options to satisfy kids’ Halloween appetites (and this, of course, is also good for those parents that love to “raid” their children’s treat baskets). Here are some choices:

            Mini Larabars are a great treat. Colorfully packaged, these bars are made of fruits and nuts but are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. They are easy to buy online or in any healthy whole food market.

            Popcorn is a classic treat that is perfect in single-serve bags. However, instead of buying popcorn laden with saturated fat and salt, look for organic popcorn with low sodium. Parents can save even more money by popping their own. Coconut oil and sea salt are great flavor options as well.

            Dried apple slices are a great choice, too. They often look just like potato chips, but are actually healthier and tasty treats in disguise!

            Many store-bought trail mix brands look healthy but often aren’t. This year, parents should consider making a healthy snack mix, with a few easy substitutions. Take out the sugary, decay-causing chocolate chips and substitute healthier cacao nibs, almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews and raisins. Go wild for color and add goji berries! Kids love colorful treats.

            Instead of handing out unhealthy sources of chocolate this Halloween, parents can make deliciously raw brownies, which are similar to Larabars but a lot less expensive and healthier. Just mix a cup of almonds, a cup of cashews, a quarter cup of cocoa powder and a few cups of raisins in the food processor. Then, roll the mix into balls and wrap them in some colorful cellophane.

            Products with xylitol, like xylitol gum, are great healthy treat options. In fact, xylitol can decrease tooth decay in young and old. It’s even used in nasal sprays to decrease inflammation!

            Other choices include boxed raisins (an old classic), single-serve applesauce and healthy juice boxes. These fun treats often do not need refrigeration, are inexpensive and are very much loved by kids. Many times, these items are included on school lunch menus and put in school lunch boxes by parents.

            How about handing out Halloween-themed stickers? Or even water-soluble, temporary tattoos? Kids love stickers.

            Yes, Halloween is approaching, and there has never been a better time to find healthier treat alternatives to please both children and their parents, not just for Halloween but all year long.

For more information, call Gregory J. Wych, DDS, owner of The Art of Dentistry (located at 7505 St. Andrews Rd., Irmo), at 803-781-1600 or visit HeadacheColumbia.com.