Healthy Halloween Treats for your Halloween Party
Just because Halloween is synonymous with candy and other decadent treats doesn’t mean you have to overdo it and compromise your diet. If you’re hosting Halloween party candy, cupcakes, and cookies aren’t the only snacks you can offer. Here are some great snack ideas that will keep you frightfully fit.
Start with the Witch’s Brew
Ditch the high sugar high calorie soda and punch and opt for sugar free selections. Most guests won’t be able to tell the difference, especially at an adult party where alcohol can be added. Stock up on diet soda and sugar free juices or pick from one of the many powdered drink mixes. For the kids I make my witch’s brew using two liters of Sprite zero and a bottle of no sugar added fruit juice (I use cranberry and it’s usually around 64oz), and I use no sugar added orange or rainbow sherbet to make it frothy and fun. If it’s an adult party I skip the sherbet and add vodka to taste. I usually make my witch’s brew a little on the tame side and offer additional alcohol on the side for my guests to add themselves. That way everyone can have it the way they like it.
Spooky Toes and Fingers
Use hotdogs or string cheese and almond slivers to make fingers and toes. Slice lines across the cheese or hot dog to make knuckle lines. To make this as healthy as possible make sure to use reduced fat cheese and fat free, nitrate free hotdogs. This protein rich snack will help you feel fuller longer even when you eat less and will give your body the energy it needs to Monster Mash all night long.
Fangs and Creepy Eyeballs
Make apple mouths using two apple slices to form a mouth and use almond slivers to make fangs. Make sure to soak your apple slices in lemon water to prevent browning and toast your almond slivers if you have time. They come out looking more like yellowed teeth and having a richer flavor. For kids or for a little bit of candy fun add M&M eyeballs using a little dab of peanut butter. Not only is this snack primarily fruit, which will give you complex sugars for energy and help with digestion, the candy is optional so this is a great snack for diabetics and dieters alike.
Candy Corn Pizza
This is more like a meal than a snack and might take a little extra time but it’s worth it. Either make your own or purchase some whole wheat pizza dough and tomato sauce. Make the pizza as you normally would. Start with the dough and a layer of sauce then add the reduced fat cheese and additional healthy toppings (if desired) you just want to make sure to make circles around the pie. I use 2% reduced fat cheddar to make a ring around the very outside then I make a smaller ring of 2% reduced fat mozzarella followed by another of cheddar and if there’s room I pile a little circle of mozzarella in the center. I then take pepperonis and make a single ring around the middle. You can stop at cheese or add as many topping as you like but try to keep them in a circle pattern. Once the pizza is cooked and cooled for at least 5 minutes cut the pizza like normal. Each slice should be striped just like candy corn. This is a great meal that you can really make quite healthy. Make it veggies lover and add peppers, onions, olives, and more. Since you started with wholesome (and possibly homemade) ingredients you know the finished products with be good as well as good for you.
You don’t have to serve plain veggie and fruit trays to have a healthy Halloween party (although they would make great additions.) Try making traditional Halloween snacks healthier by substituting sugar free or fat free options. For example instead of just setting out a bowl of candy corn, mix it with a whole grain cereal, almonds, and dried raisins, and create a candy corn trail mix. You can have your reduced sugar cake and eat it too!
