Halloween can definitely pose more “tricks” than “treats” when you and your family are trying to stick to a healthy diet. All those candies and sweet snacks can be tempting! But you and your family can still eat smart during this holiday.

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Have a healthier Halloween!

Make it about moderationYou don’t want to take away all their fun! But you can use Halloween as an opportunity to teach your child about enjoying treats in moderation. Before the day comes, talk together about your expectations. These may include how much candy your child is allowed to eat once their trick-or-treating is over. And the period of time that you would like them to spread their candy consumption over. Also, make a plan for what they will do with the rest of their candy — maybe they can donate extras to those serving overseas or to a local homeless shelter.

And don’t forget: You can gussy up fruits and vegetables to make them festive and healthy treats. For example, peel a tangerine to give it a jack-o-lantern look. Use the tangerine slices — along with cantaloupe balls or raisins — to make fruit kabobs. Or slice up a banana and make faces with raisins or mini chocolate chips. The ideas are endless!

Healthier Halloween choices* Following are some healthy food and drink ideas for a spooky soiree:

• Choose orange and black foods. Serve carrots or baked sweet potato fries. Or make black and orange tortilla roll-ups: layer low-fat mozzarella or provolone cheese and lean roast beef (or refried black beans) on a sun-dried tomato tortilla.

• Use pumpkin. Bake pumpkin chocolate chip mini muffins. You could also make smoothies with canned pumpkin, low-fat vanilla yogurt, cinnamon, banana and ice.

• Stay seasonal — and festive. Other fun ideas include: warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks.

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Forget food! Go for funInstead of handing out candy at your front door, treat kids to some of these fun, low-cost alternatives suggested by the experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Just be sure parents know these treats aren’t meant to be eaten and may not be appropriate for all age groups.**

• Temporary tattoos

• Bouncy balls

• Glow sticks

• Stickers

• Spinning tops

• Colored shoelaces

• Party favors like slide puzzles

• Bubbles

• Plastic or wax fangs

• Whistles

And remember, stay safe at Halloween parties and trick-or-treating! Visit cdc.gov/family/Halloween for family-friendly safety reminders.

Happy Halloween!

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