Halloween can be a tricky time of year to eat healthfully because so many treats are available everywhere you go. Halloween can be enjoyable even without candy and other unhealthy treats. Many foods, including fruits and vegetables, can be transformed into treats that are just as tasty as typical Halloween choices but much healthier.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are one of the vegetables most commonly associated with Halloween, and they can be made into many different healthy and delicious treats, say Myrna Chandler Goldstein and Mark A. Goldstein, authors of "Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction." Pumpkin is a good source of beta-carotene, fiber and potassium. Use canned pumpkin to make healthy breads and muffins to replace the usual sugary Halloween candy. Pumpkin seeds are another way to enjoy pumpkins and are a good source of magnesium, a nutrient essential for the health of your muscles. Keep the seeds when you carve your pumpkin and clean them well. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast until they are golden brown.
Apples
Apples provide a healthy dose of fiber, which can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Apples are also a good source of antioxidants that help prevent infection. Chris Kullstroem, author of "Making a Monstrous Halloween: Themed Parties, Activities and Events," notes that candy apples are one of the most popular Halloween treats at parties. Candy apples are high in sugar, but sliced apples drizzled with a small amount of low-fat caramel dip are a healthier alternative that still provides you with the flavors of the season. Use a sharp paring knife to carve a spooky jack o' lantern face on your apple as another healthy way to celebrate Halloween.
Popcorn
Popcorn has been a traditional part of Halloween celebrations for many years, report Edna Barth and Ursula Arndt, authors of "Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols." Air-popped popcorn can be a healthful Halloween treat that supplies some fiber. Popcorn can be prepared in many interesting ways. Sprinkle popped popcorn with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon as a way to satisfy your desire for something sweet. Orange-colored dried fruits, such as apricots or mangoes, will add some Halloween color to your popcorn. Toss plain popcorn with a small amount of low-fat caramel as another option.
References
- "Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction"; Myrna Chandler Goldstein and Mark A. Goldstein; 2010
- "Making a Monstrous Halloween: Themed Parties, Activities and Events"; Chris Kullstroem; 2009
- "Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols"; Edna Barth and Ursula Arndt; 2000
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