No tricks here, Halloween is a holiday that revolves around candy and sweets. The National Retail Federation estimates consumers will spend a record high $9.1 billion this year on candy and costumes. Even though Halloween is a time to eat your favorite candies that are shaped like limited edition pumpkins and ghosts, it is always important to eat all treats in moderation, since those sweets can do some scary damage to your teeth. You can still have a fun and delicious Halloween party with healthier options for both adults and children!
Healthier Halloween Recipes
Here are some healthier Halloween recipes you should try:
Food Network’s Squash Soup in Pumpkin Bowls
Squash is high in Vitamin C and fiber. It is also a good source of calcium and Vitamin B1. Serve it in bowls made of pumpkin for a fun spin to any party! Create a toppings bar full of croutons, seeds, and bacon that allow your guests to personalize their soup.
Recipe Runner’s Mini Spider Pizzas
Skip takeout and get creative in the kitchen with these mini pizzas. Allow kids and adults to customize their pizzas with fun shapes to create spooky designs. Top it with olives shaped like spiders.
Eating Well’s Garlic-Parmesan Pumpkin seeds
This savory snack is rich in antioxidants and iron. Guests will not be able to keep their hands out of the bowl. Luckily, it is a much healthier option than potato chips.
These are made with lower fat choices such as reduced fat cream cheese and substitution butter. Therefore, you can indulge in the delicious dessert without compromising your smile (or your waistline!.
Homemade candy is a much more affordable and healthier option than store bought. All you need are three ingredients to complete this sweet and salty dessert. Kids will get a kick-out of the creepy shaped candy too.
CookingLight’s Honey Cider Beer Cocktails
The cider and beer are lower in sugar than most sugar-heavy cocktails. Want to make it non-alcoholic? Skip the beer! This a great addition for the adults at your Halloween gathering.
CookingLight’s Hibiscus and Blood Orange Punch
This punch is made with a tea base so it is lower in sugar than soda or juice based drinks. This drink could be topped with sparkling wine for the adults or sparkling water or seltzer for the kids.
Just remember, having a few sweet treats is not going to make or break your oral health. Beware that drinking soda and eating candy can cause cavities and tooth erosion. So remember to always rinse with water after eating sugary sweets and always brush your teeth and floss. Try and avoid foods such as caramel apples, sticky desserts, caramel popcorn, and starchy foods.
Halloween Activities for the Entire Family
When planning a fun Halloween party for family and friends of all ages, it is important to plan activities that can be fun for both the adults and children. People love having contests and fun competition is always a good time for any age. To ensure a smile-friendly party, make sure that the rewards are not food-based rewards. Create fun certificates or go to the dollar store and buy inexpensive trophies. Children love stickers, slime, or holiday-based books. Adults love candles, gift cards or artisan beers or liquors.
- Have a pumpkin carving contest.
- Not into carving? Host a pumpkin painting party instead.
- Host a costume party with a winner for most original costume and overall best dressed costume.
- Make a Halloween treasure hunt. It is easy to find printable cards online.
- Host a scary movie night! Have different people bring some of their favorite fall dishes and drinks! Movies such as Hocus Pocus, Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice are fun for all ages.
- Host a craft party! Here are some ideas that is fun for children and parents.
- Face off in a game of Halloween Bingo.
- Create and customize your very own Halloween cornhole.
- Play toilet paper mummies! Buy a bunch of toilet paper and get a kick out of watching people wrap each other up like mummies.
- Host a chili cook-off! Have everyone bring over their favorite chili recipe and have guests go around and vote for their favorite dish.
For additional recipes check out Healthy Halloween Foods. And for additional Halloween party ideas check out, Fun Halloween Games, Halloween Party Games, or Halloween Party Decorations and Games.