Make Halloween healthier: The American Heart Association offers 3 tips

Halloween is all about sweets and treats, but how much is too much?

This year, the American Heart Association (AHA) is encouraging families to make healthier choices to ensure and promote healthy communities.

Tackling this sugary holiday with a healthy mindset is no easy feat. That’s why they are helping and providing information on how to have a healthier Halloween.

The AHA offers the following three tips:

1. Substitute candy

Substitute candy for a healthier option for trick-or-treaters.

“Halloween can be healthier! It’s OK to enjoy a little candy but try passing out these items instead. Kids will still think they’re getting a treat, and you’ll feel good about giving them a healthier option,” says the AHA of Wisconsin’s Facebook page.

The suggested items include:

By offering non-food options, you can also help accommodate those with food allergies. The choice to hand out alternatives is part of a movement to improve the holiday. Participate and learn about the Teal Pumpkin Project on our website.

While serving these healthier options, choose to find packaging that fits the bill and Halloween theme. If you are hosting a party, serve healthy snacks dressed up in the Halloween theme too.

2. Bag the monster bag

The AHA encourages bagging the monster bag this Halloween. The pillowcase is an inexpensive easy and go-to item for collecting Halloween candy while going from house to house.

Children want to collect as much candy as they can fit in their bags, and this overly large item leaves plenty of room for endless amounts of treats. However, it is not the healthiest of options.

This Halloween make a goal to substitute for a creative way to store the treats while out on Halloween night.

For example, if you are dressing up as Winnie the Pooh this Halloween, turn your Halloween bucket into a pot of honey. This option will bring your costume to life and encourage a healthier holiday with a limit on the treats you score.

In addition, the AHA is encouraging kids to only take one piece of candy from each house. By doing so, it will allow them to visit more houses in the neighborhood too.

3. Make a plan for excess items

If you or your child collect more candy than you know what to do with, make a plan ahead of Halloween on what to do with the extra goodies.

Plan with your children and have healthy conversations about the importance of moderation and making smart eating choices.

Avoid spooking or scaring your child by making a plan in advance about how much candy they’ll be allowed to take at each house, keep and eat.

Help children also make a plan on what to do with excess candy.

The AHA provides the following ideas:

• Save it for holiday baking.
• Save it to fill the piñata at the next birthday celebration or give it out with Valentine’s Day cards.
• Use it in an arts and crafts project or to decorate a holiday gingerbread house.
• Donate excess candy to a homeless shelter, children’s hospital, or care package program for troops overseas. A familiar sweet treat from home can be comforting at the holidays.

More information on how to make Halloween healthier can be found online.

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2023 Halloween