Feature Articles: Health
Healthy Halloween Treat Options
Susan Mills-Gray, Nutrition Specialist, Cass County Extension Center, University of Missouri Extension
We all know that Halloween is about kids and candy…but you could hand out other treats that may provide vitamins/minerals/ and fiber and be lower in fat and sugar! Now before you start to laugh, I’m not suggesting the typical healthy idea…fresh fruit – we all know that’s not a safe option any longer. But there are many individually packaged food items that would make great treat choices for all those youngsters that will visit your front door. I double checked with my 17 year-old, and these suggestions passed the “cool” test with a big thumb’s up!
Individually packaged:
Raisins
Chocolate covered raisins
Animal crackers
Pretzels
Cracker/cheese pack
Mozzarella string cheese
Gold fish crackers
Teddy Grahams
Microwave popcorn
Peanut butter crackers
Ready to eat cereal
Cracker jacks
Pumpkin seeds
Granola bar
Mixed nuts (be careful of peanut allergies)
Cheese dip
Fruit roll-up
100% mini juice box
Dried fruit
Gummy candies made with real juice
100 calorie packs of various products
Beef or turkey jerky
Jello with fruit
Pudding
Applesauce
Bean dip
Trail mix
Sugar free gum
If you definitely want to give candy for treats, choose bite-size candy bars based on the least amount of fat and calories for serving. Better choices are 3 Musketeers, 100 Grand Bar, Butterfinger, Milky Way, Raisinets, Starburst, York Peppermint Patties. Also consider dark chocolate versions.
For more information contact your local University of
Missouri Extension Center at 816.380.8460 or this faculty
member directly at
mills-grays@missouri.edu.
Last update: Monday, October 15, 2007
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