When Halloween comes around, it’s easy to feel like sugar and junk food are jumping out at your family everywhere you look! But don’t get spooked. You and your kids can still sink your teeth (or fangs) into Halloween without the sugar highs and meltdowns that can come from an imbalanced diet. Parents, read on for our complete guide to a fun and nourishing Halloween!
1. Save your pumpkin seeds
When your family carves Jack O’ Lanterns, save the pumpkin seeds and roast them in your favorite seasonings for a healthy, whole foods snack. While you handle the knife work, you can have your kiddo pick out the seeds from the stringy pumpkin pulp—a safe task for little fingers.
Roasting pumpkin seeds together is a great opportunity to create a special tradition around a Halloween snack that’s actually healthy, as pumpkin seeds are packed with nourishing fiber, antioxidants, omega-3, and vital micronutrients like magnesium. You can also incorporate them into a delicious trail mix with nuts, raisins, and crunchy Kibo Veggie Crunch chips!
2. Make protein a priority
We all know that candy binges are probably going to happen, but if you want to keep the sugar highs and blood sugar spikes to a minimum this year, it’s important to make sure your family gets plenty of satiating protein before (or during) trick or treating. In a pinch, take bite-sized Kibo Veggie Crunch to snack along the way for 7 grams of protein and sneaky veggies in every bag.
3. Choose party snacks with plenty of nutrition
Halloween parties tend to go heavy on the heavy foods, from pumpkin breads to Halloween cookies. Whether you’re hosting or attending a Halloween party this year, you can serve something a little lighter that still has the fun and festive factor. Swap the normal greasy chips for Kibo Chickpea Chips or Kibo Lentil Chips served alongside pumpkin dip, hummus and veggies. They’re made with plant-based protein, and no gluten, dairy, GMOs or artificials. Check out our Instagram for tons of recipes to inspire party platters, appetizers, and spooky treats, like our Chocolate-Covered Kibo Halloween Haystacks!
4. Be choosy about your candy
When candy calls, some options are actually better for you than others. Focus on finding candy that’s made without artificial ingredients, candy with less or no sugar, or candy that has a nutritional component, like dark chocolate or chocolate with nuts. Fun fact: choosing candy that has some healthy fat and protein along with the carbohydrates can actually help lessen the dreaded blood sugar spikes. The best part? Your kids won’t know the difference.
5. Take Halloween activities outside
An active lifestyle can help balance out some of the stress and energy swings that can come with the season. By taking activities outside, kids will be more likely to run, skip, and exert some excess energy. Choose a pumpkin patch that has a playground, or get some other families together for a Halloween hike and see who can spot spooky things like spider webs. If you throw a Halloween party, take things to the yard for fresh air, with bobbing for apples and outside games.
6. Choose savory swaps
Finally, now might be the time to balance out your family’s meal plan with more savory foods. For instance, if you usually eat something sweet for breakfast, like smoothies, pancakes, or cereal, switch up that meal around the start of the holiday season with savory ideas like eggs and cheese. Skip the OJ and add some fresh veggies for extra fiber.
So while you’re probably not going to completely avoid sugar on Halloween, we hope this guide helps you lay down a healthy foundation so you and your family can still feel your best throughout all your festive plans. There’s nothing wrong with sugary fun, but a few simple swaps can help you avoid the crashes. Focus on creating traditions around nourishing foods and sneaking extra protein and veggies into the mix wherever possible for your healthiest Halloween yet.
For more healthy and sustainable Halloween ideas, check out these tips!
