Like so many other holidays, Halloween is one of those times when it’s easy to throw caution to the wind and stuff our faces with gobs of sugar. On the one hand, who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up like a cat and play with pumpkins? On the other hand, chowing down on ultra-processed, sugar-packed candy is a one-way ticket to cavities, hormone imbalances and a mean case of the grumps. Conventional candy is loaded with artificial colours, ‘natural’ flavours, refined sugars and hydrogenated oils. The good news? There are plenty of homemade healthy Halloween treat options!
But What About the Kids?
We worry about the kids, though, right? We don’t want them missing out. I can hear you now: “But I only buy Halloween candy for the kids!” Right. Despite your good intentions, you know that jumbo pack of mini chocolate bars is going to disappearlong before the trick-or-treaters come knocking. Besides, don’t the little ones deserve some superfood-filled, health-promoting goodies, too? YES!!!
There may have once been a time when Halloween was the one time of year that kids ate junk. Now, treats are everywhere. Birthday parties, school events, chocolate or candy from well-meaning grocery stores or local businesses, sports and activities – the list goes on. Even the ‘healthy snacks‘ are basically treats.
Excess sugar in our children’s diets is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease risk, dental cavities and can affect their mental health. This probably isn’t news to you – the dangers of excess sugar have been making headlines for years. It’s time to stop the processed candy cycle and there’s no time like the present!
Instead of stocking up on store-bought candy, try making these healthy treats for yourself and your family.
And there are some non-food treat suggestions for you, too!
Note: Please know I don’t mean for you to hand these out at your door. The intention behind these Halloween treats are for situations where it’s safe to interact with family and friends.
Kid-Friendly Healthy Halloween Treats
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Once you try these, you won’t be able to go back to peanut butter cups.
You don’t mean hand these treats out to children at the door?! Since I was a young girl we were told not to eat homemade treats due to dangers of what could have been added to them by crazy people- I assume this is still the case. In addition they wouldn’t have ingredients listed and almonds, for instance, are a common allergen. While these treat options look great for home, choosing packaged treats to give away that are still ‘healthier’ (fairtrade chocolates, Yummy Earth suckers, etc) would be a better idea, in my opinion. As a mom of three I hate halloween- My youngest dresses up and visits just ten homes for treats.
Thank you Meaghan. The thought never even occurred to me that you were suggesting to hand these out at the door…Anyone who follows you knows that you as a nutritionist you are always so careful about what you share ..I assume people exercise their own common sense when reading your blogs and hope you wont have to start loading each great healthful recipes with a bunch of legal disclaimers…these homemade treats are perfect for people IN my home . Love them.
My children are in their late 30’s, but back in the day I knew I didn’t want them eating Halloween candy for days on end as I had as a kid. I also had a peanut allergy (few people had this allergy in the 50’s). I couldn’t risk having treats laced with peanuts, bought or made, come into our house and leaving traces of it on my kids. We made the decision with our first child to never shell out – however my kids never missed out on any Halloween fun. Each year we made elaborate costumes, carved pumpkins, made Halloween crafts and decorated the kitchen. When they were school age we held a Halloween party with games, or went to a scary movie, or took a flashlight walk through the close by woods or cemetery – besides they had already had a full day of Halloweening at school. Although my kids thought they were Halloween deprived for a time, as adults they have thanked us for sparing them from years of too much sugary junk food. Today none of them give out candy either – although they still dress up and have Halloween fun.
Just because others celebrate Halloween by going door to door collecting unhealthy treats doesn’t mean it has to be your choice. Model healthy choices, your kids might thank you one day too!
Instead make one of Meghan’s specially chosen treats, turn out the lights, and watch a scary movie on TV!
Reading Time: 6 minutes 
You don’t mean hand these treats out to children at the door?! Since I was a young girl we were told not to eat homemade treats due to dangers of what could have been added to them by crazy people- I assume this is still the case. In addition they wouldn’t have ingredients listed and almonds, for instance, are a common allergen. While these treat options look great for home, choosing packaged treats to give away that are still ‘healthier’ (fairtrade chocolates, Yummy Earth suckers, etc) would be a better idea, in my opinion. As a mom of three I hate halloween- My youngest dresses up and visits just ten homes for treats.
Thank you Meaghan. The thought never even occurred to me that you were suggesting to hand these out at the door…Anyone who follows you knows that you as a nutritionist you are always so careful about what you share ..I assume people exercise their own common sense when reading your blogs and hope you wont have to start loading each great healthful recipes with a bunch of legal disclaimers…these homemade treats are perfect for people IN my home . Love them.
My children are in their late 30’s, but back in the day I knew I didn’t want them eating Halloween candy for days on end as I had as a kid. I also had a peanut allergy (few people had this allergy in the 50’s). I couldn’t risk having treats laced with peanuts, bought or made, come into our house and leaving traces of it on my kids. We made the decision with our first child to never shell out – however my kids never missed out on any Halloween fun. Each year we made elaborate costumes, carved pumpkins, made Halloween crafts and decorated the kitchen. When they were school age we held a Halloween party with games, or went to a scary movie, or took a flashlight walk through the close by woods or cemetery – besides they had already had a full day of Halloweening at school. Although my kids thought they were Halloween deprived for a time, as adults they have thanked us for sparing them from years of too much sugary junk food. Today none of them give out candy either – although they still dress up and have Halloween fun.
Just because others celebrate Halloween by going door to door collecting unhealthy treats doesn’t mean it has to be your choice. Model healthy choices, your kids might thank you one day too!
Instead make one of Meghan’s specially chosen treats, turn out the lights, and watch a scary movie on TV!