5 Tips For A Healthy Halloween

Halloween is almost here and it’s one of my favourite times of the year! It’s a time of creativity, togetherness and fun, and let’s not forget that it has long been a time to fill up on sugary sweets! However, with obesity at such a high level in the UK, it might be time to consider how you and your kids can have a healthy Halloween this year, or at least keep it more healthy! I’m not here to be the fun police, and obviously to a certain extent Halloween and sweets go hand in hand, but before you head to the supermarket to stock up on your share bags why not have a read of these five tips for a healthy Halloween!?

How To Have A Healthy Halloween

Step One – Make Some Healthy Halloween Treats

If you’re having a Halloween party, for your or for your kids, why not skip the shop bought treats and get to making some of your own? Even your own homemade sweet treats will be healthier than most additive filled sweets, and you can always mix and match to keep everyone happy! I love these ideas from Hotel Chocolat, which perfectly showcase how balanced, nutritious and awesome looking treats can be just as much fun as anything you might buy ready made from the supermarket! 

If you just can’t live without chocolate on Halloween (I mean who can right?!?) then make sure to stock up on good quality Halloween chocolate! Find more about Hotel Chocolat’s ‘spooktacular’ range of Halloween treats here. 

Step Two – Fill Up on Food Before Trick or Treating!

Trick or Treating might be the main event on Halloween, but having a hearty meal beforehand can help fill everyone up, making you less likely to stuff your face with sweets when going door to door! You can even make some amazing healthy Halloween themed meals to keep everyone on theme and in the mood! Last year I made these tasty AND healthy Halloween Stuffed Jack-o-Peppers which went down a treat! Find some more healthy Halloween recipes at the end of this post!

Step Three – Walk DON’T drive!

Unless you live in a super rural area, the houses you’re going to visit when you head out with the kids on a trick or treating mission are going to be within walking distance! When I was a kid there wouldn’t have been any question about whether to walk or drive, but it seems that what with one thing and another the drive by trick or treat has become a thing! Not only does this (in my opinion) take away ALL of the fun, but it also removes a great opportunity for a healthy Halloween activity. You could even set the kids challenges like who can do the most star jumps between each house, or who can get there the fastest. Not only will they earn their sweets, but they’ll tire themselves out and that is something that can’t be sniffed at! 

Step Four – Remember That Moderation Is Key

Once you’re back from Trick or Treating, it’s inevitable that everyone will want to dig straight into their pile of sweets! However this will lead to massive sugar overload in children and adults alike and is not conducive to a healthy Halloween experience. My advice is to divide out a small pile of their favourite sweets to enjoy now and then hide the rest. These can then be doled out for pack lunches, or as after school treats for weeks to come! This goes for adults too…although maybe get someone else to hide yours 😉 

Step Five – Be Charitable 

Not only is this final idea a great way to help everyone have a healthy Halloween, it’s also a great way to teach your kids about charity and the benefits of sharing. So basically it’s a massive win win! When you get back from your excitement filled trick or treating, get your kids to divide the sweets out into two piles – one for all of their favourites and one of sweets they aren’t so keen on. The first pile can then be enjoyed like in step four, but the second can be donated! Find a list of worthy local places where a big pile of sweets will be appreciated…perhaps a retirement home, homeless shelter or even your local fire station! Take your children with you to donate (if appropriate) and let them get all of the warm fuzzy feelings when they see the positive effect their act of kindness has had. Think of it as saving your soul and your arteries at the same time! 

Healthy Halloween Recipes To Try 

Loved these tips? Then you’ll love these delicious healthy Halloween recipes too! These recipes are from some of my fellow bloggers and they are to die for! So get cooking and make yourself and your family a healthy Halloween feast that they’ll remember forever! 

Healthy Candy Corn Bars

Find the recipe on Living Sweet Moments.

Healthy Grilled Butternut Lasagna 

Find the recipe on The BBQ Bastard. 

Sugar-Free Keto Peanut Butter Cups

Find the recipe on Wholesome Yum.

Cinnamon Maple Nut Butter Covered Apples

Find the recipe on Ria’s Recipes.

Dairy Free Chocolate Pumpkin Sunbutter Cups

Find the recipe on Bites of Wellness. 

Spicy Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

Find the recipe on Vegan in the Freezer.

Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Pot Pie

Find the recipe on Looney For Food. 

Pumpkin Jack’n’Cheese Bowls

Find the recipe on Simple Seasonal.

Chocolate Swamp Monsters

Find the recipe on Kidgredients.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hotel Chocolat. The opinions and text are all mine.