Halloween Foods Made Healthy
By Brandi Goodman
Too many unhealthy treats get consumed near Halloween time and throughout the entire fall season. Making some changes will help to cut down on calories and make your food choices more worthwhile for your mind and body. Make your Halloween foods healthy for your well-being.
Start With Homemade Options
Skip the store-bought versions of your favorite treats. Almost everything you'll find will be packed with sugar, sodium, and calories. Creating your own homemade options can help you cut down on all of these.
Skip the Pie and Create Other Pumpkin Meals
Pumpkin pie may be a great treat, but it isn't the most nutritious. Pumpkin in general, however, is a very nutrient-dense option. Create other pumpkin meals that will provide you with vitamins. A pumpkin soup is a great choice. Pumpkin bread is another. You can even just roast the seeds and gain the benefits of fiber, antioxidants, protein, magnesium, and more. If you do go with a pie, make it from scratch and include less sugar than the recipe calls for.
Winter squash is another choice. It can resemble the same orange color as pumpkin. It even has a similar consistency. Use this as a substitution to get a different flavor and even more antioxidant power.
No More Caramel
Caramel apples are often consumed around Halloween. Caramel may taste great, but it's usually nothing but sugar. Skip the caramel and simply enjoy an apple alone. It's the perfect fall treat, providing antioxidants and Vitamin C. If you do want some caramel still, at least place it on the side and just dip your slice into it. Don't cover the entire thing in the sweet, sticky sauce.
Pick Plain or Lightly Seasoned Popcorn
Popcorn Month falls to October each year for good reason. Caramel popcorn is one of the most commonly consumed treats for the season. You should really be avoiding caramel when you can like was already mentioned. Pick a plain version instead, or create a lightly seasoned popcorn mix that won't include too much sugar. Popcorn is a great, low-calorie snack usually.
Halloween foods can be healthy if you make them that way. Skip the junk from the store that offers far too much sugar, sodium, or calories and create nutritious options that will fuel your body. It will be especially helpful when out for Halloween night or at fall events throughout the season. You'll have the energy you need to make it through with nutritious foods.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.