By Sarah Glunz
Avoiding sugary foods on Halloween isn’t an easy (or desirable) goal but adding some nutritious options to parties or trick-or-treating is more attainable. After all, good nutrition and a healthy relationship with food are all about balancing the goodies and the good stuff. Check out these fun ideas for adding some nutrition to your kids’ Halloween treats.
Frozen Banana Mummies
How cute are these?! Kids and adults will think so too and won’t even notice they are eating fruit. Okay, they will probably notice, but they will be happy about it because chocolate and frozen bananas are the perfect combo. Plus, fruit provides nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals so making it into a fun treat is a great way to add good stuff to your kids’ day.
Get the recipe: Banana Mummies
Clementine Pumpkins
Kids love clementines and these ones, made to look like pumpkins, are so fun and easy that you may even get the kids to help. Add one to a lunchbox on Halloween or share with your neighbors before trick-or-treating.
Get the recipe: Clementine Pumpkins
Vampire Apples
This idea takes a tasty, balanced snack, complete with fiber, protein, and good fats, and makes it something no one could pass up! Use any nut or seed butter you have on hand and let your kids have just as much fun making them as they will eating them!
Get the recipe: Vampire Apples
Skull Cheese Ball
Cheese? Delicious. Cheese ball shaped into a skull? Very cool. Using this fun appetizer to get some protein and encourage veggie eating? So smart. Serve with carrot and celery sticks, sliced bell peppers, and some whole grain crackers for an appetizer with ingredients that won’t give you nightmares.
Get the recipe: Skull Cheese Ball
Haunted House Dip Platter
Whether or not kids will love bean dip is debatable, but this spooky version may get them to try it–and that’s a win too. Plus, it’s a fun appetizer to serve adults. We could also benefit a bit more from increasing fiber and protein in our diets.
Get the recipe: Haunted House Ball
Halloween Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This fun twist on grilled cheese requires very little effort and ingredients—perfect for a quick meal before trick-or-treating. Grab your kids’ favorite bread, some yellow cheese, and a fun cookie cutter for a meal your kids may actually eat. Pair it with the Clementine Pumpkins or Vampire Apples if you’re feeling extra festive or some applesauce if you’re short on time before racing out the door with your princesses and superheroes.
Get the recipe: Halloween Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Spiderweb Pizza
Your kids will love eating ‘spiders’ with this creepy twist on a favorite pre-trick-or-treating dinner. Add some raw veggies to balance the meal so your ghosts and goblins aren’t starving as they run from house to house.
Get the recipe: Spiderweb Pizza
Sarah Glunz, MS, CNS, LDN has been a nutritionist for over 15 years and would eat any of these fun recipes while working at Savory, playing outdoor sports and video games with her family, and living her best mid-life.
