When it comes to greeting trick or treaters on Halloween, why not pull the trick on them and offer up healthier alternatives to the traditional candy choices. I know, most don’t want to be THAT house that gives out healthy snacks but moms and dads will appreciate your gesture and some kids might even be excited to have options other than the hum drum tootsie rolls, candy corn and chocolate bars.
When thinking healthy, fruits and vegetables come to mind but unfortunately you’ll be dubbed crazy if you choose to give out carrots or apples. You can, however, give out healthier individually wrapped Halloween treats that are easy to buy and easy to give.
Here are some excellent ideas from our friends at Green Halloween. They partnered with the Non-GMO project to come up with a list of Non-GMO Halloween Treats. You can find this valuable report here.
A couple ideas from the report are:
- Nature’s Path Crispy Treats
- Yogavive Snacks
- Funky Monkey Snacks
Most of the Non-GMO treats are available at Whole Foods and Health Foods stores. If you’re like us, we’ll be handing out treats to well over 200 trick-or-treaters, so the organic, non-gmo route could get a little expensive! Well, they thought of that too. Also on the report are a list of non-food ideas, like stickers, crayons, and more. Additionally, they provide an educational overview on why GMO’s can be harmful for children.
If you these specialty foods are unavailable in your area, or simply too expensive, here are some additional ideas we came up with that are healthier options than candy bars and packaged Halloween candies. Some of these ideas are also available in natural and organic option:
- Sugar Free Gum
Raisins (Plain, yogurt or chocolate covered) or dried fruit like craisins – individually packaged
- Mini-bags of microwave popcorn
- Snack size package of pretzels
- 100% Fruit-Roll Ups or Fruit leather
- Granola bars (available in snack size)
- Fruit bars
- Pre-packaged trail mix or sunflower seeds
- Peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers – individually wrapped
- Individual packages of applesauce or sugar free fruit
Your turn: Do you have ideas for healthy Trick-or-Treat alternatives this year? Leave a comment and share – thanks!